Truth through Fiction...Digging My Ditch

     Today in church, my pastor spoke about a story from the Old Testament about Elisha, and how he informed three kings that if they wanted to see God's power and providence, they would have to put some work into it, and dig some ditches so that God would provide their armies water. My pastor then made it clear that Jesus did the same thing in the New Testament time and time again when he performed miracles. He would heal people, but include them in part of the process by asking them to go and do something, such as "Now pick up your mat, and walk", as he said to a man who had once been lame. The good pastor went on to say that when we dig our own ditches, we all have to start somewhere. There is no other way to start digging a ditch manually other than a little bit at a time. So I heard all these words this morning, and they got me thinking.

     I started thinking about how I can dig my ditch to show faith in my Lord. I am like my pastor in that one thing I want most in this world is to see God work wonders and bring entire nations, or huge groups of people, to believe in Him. So 'if only' the God I love and believe so strongly in would show me His power and turn many people's hearts - then I could point it out to others and say, 'That's My God right there...He did that.' What God helped me understand today was that I shouldn't expect Him to show me anything, until I show Him I am willing to put my own faith to work. Deep down, I think I already knew this...and perhaps have even begun this process - but today's message has given me resolve.

     I have renewed resolve in a mission that I started off and on 12 years ago, when I decided I wanted to write for Christ. I would come up with a creative idea for some inspirational but fictional story that I could tell the world to illustrate how God could work in their life...only to be interrupted by yet another story idea. And so I kept up the habit for a awhile, spinning my writing wheels, and showing no fruit. It was like I wanted to dig a ditch...but would just stick the shovel in the ground, then sit there and stare at it for a while. Until about 10 months ago, when God inspired me, and revealed a strange idea about a fascinating tale I could tell - illustrating how the darkness in this world can overtake someone's entire being, and yet God could still use those dark events to bring about hope and light. So now I had a story...and I ran with it.

     Because of this new resolve I mentioned, I can now begin making the shovel move. I have discovered that I can start digging my ditch, a little bit at a time. I have found that If I use the creativity and imagination God gave me, I can find more and more ways to tell God's truth - through fiction. What I started less than a year ago became a full story. And once I finished my story, I started by telling a few people. I let a select few friends read my writing. I got some good feedback, and I decided - Wow - maybe I have something here. So I tried to reach out to publishers. Being the impatient and stubborn soul that I am, I decided I couldn't wait on the right publisher or agent...so I went ahead and put my story out there. At first, it was very slow going. I had a little book signing, and I was able to get my paperback in the hands of a handful of people. But I offered my book for free in the e-book market...and the next thing I know I have my story in over 600 people's hands. Now mind you - a lot of these people only got the book when it was free...but they still got it. I know for a fact I have had readers comment on my writing in personal e-mails and messages who are world travelers, and stumbled upon my book on some e-book website. So my story is getting out there.

     No - I might not be gifted in the missions field, and I might not feel some calling to become a pastor. But like my pastor, I long for that day to see God move nations. I also long to see Him move MY NATION. But perhaps I need to show a little faith. So I have decided that, despite not making much money doing it, perhaps I can get my stories out there into a few people's hands in various places - and maybe they will see the message I am trying to send. Don't ask me how this adventure ends; only God knows that. But hey - I will keep digging my ditch.

Sons of Liberty...Do we have any today?

So I have to say, I just finished watching the History Channel mini-series, Sons of Liberty...and I thought it was very well done. What I got from the film was the fact that someone, whether it was truly Samuel Adams, or someone else - but someone had to be pretty darn convincing to get the other colonies to go to war with the most powerful military of that age. I mean the show hammered it home with the performance of whichever actor played Samuel Adams. When his monologue at the Second Continental Congress was finished, I wished I could have been alive back then to scoop up my musket and join his cause! Heck, when George Washington speaks at all in the film, the actor really made you feel like there was a passionate, extremely strong charismatic man.

So here's my problem. Where are they now? To me it is blatantly obvious that our current leaders (let's just call them brain washers) are constantly adding more and more levels of control - namely to social classes. Of course the masses are oblivious, because the lower class get so much handed to them, they are blindly dependent on the providers of Obama phones and free health care, and they definitely want to keep the free stuff coming. But the masses are too ignorant to realize that all that free stuff will eventually lead to slavery...not slavery like the old days in America, but slavery to a system. Meanwhile, the rich will keep paying for the poor to receive their freebies until the slavery days come, and they won't really suffer that much from it other than it is such an inconvenience to them to shell out an extra few million out of their already existent millions. And the middle class just keeps on trudging along, getting closer and closer to lower class, but not quite getting there because they have too much dignity and still believe in hard work to make a living!

So where are the vocal leaders? Where are the truly passionate men, or women, who can actually see this same thing that I see? The current system is so divided, and conspiracy theorist or not - I don't trust either side very much...the Right wing WAY more than the Left, but I still think every politician today has their own selfish agenda. I need to believe in someone like the characters of this series made me want to believe. After watching Sons of Liberty, I felt like I did when I was a little kid. I felt like I had just re-discovered true heroes. I felt like I could be proud to be an American. I long to see someone rise up and be that charismatic leader, who stands for what is right again, instead of what we all need to SUBMIT to, or instead of someone who wants to tell us what's best for us, instead of letting us ALL work hard for a living, and learn to think and discover what is best for us ALL, INDIVIDUALLY!

I don't feel like I can be this leader; I am too black and white for most people, and I really don't compromise well. I think a true leader has to be able to make SOME compromise, and I am not that guy. However, I feel that there are enough other people out there who share this sentiment. I feel like maybe, if enough people read blog posts like this, and post their own material of similar content...then maybe, just maybe the RIGHT person will see this yearning for a rebirth of the country we once knew. The Declaration of Independence said that we all have the right for the "pursuit of happiness". It did not say that the big government will provide your happiness, or find some other suckers to pay to buy you happiness. It also did not say that we would make people be supposed leaders of our country, only to turn the capital city into a country club, and to turn the highest position in the land into a job chuck-full of vacations!

So if you read this, and you agree...pass it on. We need some modern day Sons of Liberty. I challenge someone out there to be just that. If you read this, and you feel like you have that strong overwhelming powerful personality that is just contagious enough to spread what you stand for like Wildfire, then by all means, DO IT! Because frankly, it's been a long time since I felt like I lived in the America I once knew.

Teaching - it's like Corn Flakes...

So there I was, laughing, discussing, demonstrating, repeating, guiding, training...teaching.

     Have you ever realized that although you may have left a career, certain aspects or duties that you had in a past career follow you wherever you go? There was a time when I absolutely loved teaching. I used to laugh with young children, teach them different exercises and rules to various games, different physical skills, and build their self esteem. I used very similar skills when I coached middle school and high school athletes, whether that be in the weight room, on the basketball court, or on a football field.

     Now I am a training officer...a police officer, but I train 'civilians' and security officers. In several training classes today, I got to enjoy that old passion once again. I had people participate and make the class fun. I had some people who wanted to know more. I had people tell me things or bring things to my attention that I wasn't even aware had gone on recently. It was like a pleasant flashback...back to the days when I was good old 'Mr. Coach Fort.' Although this seemed to be a longer week than usual at work, I ended it on a great note. I think the Good Lord opened my eyes today to show that once again, I have gone down various paths for a reason. My grandmother on my mom's side was a school teacher. My mother was a teacher. I was a school teacher...and I still get to teach - just a different type of student.

     But after all the classes today, and earlier this week, I thought about that great feeling of satisfaction when I felt like I really communicated to students, or in this case, peers - exactly what I wanted to get across. And even though it was a familiar feeling, I thought about the old TV commercial for that good old fashion breakfast cereal - Corn Flakes. Remember...'taste them again for the first time'...remember that? So anyway, I want to ask anyone out there. Can you think of past careers, and certain skills or activities pertaining to a specific job? Have any of those things stuck with you, even though you have moved on to other things? Just felt like sharing. What are some of your thoughts? (THAT MEANS LEAVE A COMMENT   :)   ).

Who's for Freedom? I, for one, refuse to give up mine...

     The dictionary defines Freedom as the power to determine action without restraint. It also defines it as personal liberty; the opposite of bondage or slavery. Yet we are seeing more and more examples each and every single day (especially under our current Muslim president's RULE) of Christians losing their freedom. Air Force cadets and Army men have been told they can't talk about their faith, and they can't leave bible verses written on marker boards outside of rooms. Prayer isn't allowed in schools (yet we will consider the idea of broadcasting Muslim prayer over a college campus - hmmm). Chaplains can assist soldiers and law enforcement families as long as they don't offend other religions by praying out loud. Nativity scenes have been taken down in some townships because it offends the Muslims. A Christian prayer is no longer accepted as proper before sporting events, so we now have to have Moments of Silence to respect other religions. However - there is a double standard.
     
     Our children are taught about Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, and other -isms in History classes, but the character of Jesus Christ, and 'mere Christianity' are hardly mentioned, in case it offends someone. We are taught by society that Islam is a 'peaceful religion', and Christians are too judgmental and too conservative. We have to consider Muslim wishes of absolutely NO pictorial representations of their great prophet, yet people can poke fun of and trash Christianity all they want. We can condemn a man for stating his beliefs in Jesus, but put sexy celebrities on a pedestal and celebrate their promotion of promiscuity. We are forced to pay into a healthcare system that promotes the killing of unborn babies by the thousands - something against the very fabric of Christian teaching, just so the big government can bring in more dependents into this society for US to take care of. We are limited to where Bibles can be allowed, yet people can freely give away copies of the Quran on college campuses.

     Anybody seeing the double standard yet? Seems to me everyone that gets all weird feeling (maybe that's conviction trying to tell you something) about Christianity gets to determine their own actions, while the Christians are the only ones being restrained. All the people who think they are bigger than God, and don't have enough gumption to admit that they are flawed individuals like EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US are the ones who are getting personal liberties, while we Christians are being told to hold back some of the liberties we USED TO have! I'm going to let people in on a little secret - if something offends you, DON'T READ IT. DON'T WATCH IT. MOVE ON. But just like you don't want Christians telling you how to live your lives, don't force your beliefs on us, either. Frankly, I am tired of it. I grew up in what once was a great nation. God willing, it will be again, but if we as Christians don't start speaking out more, before you know it, there will be CHRISTIAN Concentration camps! It's happened in history before, people. Get your heads on - Christians helped build this great country, so stop hating on us. You don't have to believe what we believe, but don't tell us we CAN'T believe what we believe. Here's the kicker...your guilty conscience can't change my mind. It can't change my heart. It can't change Franklin Graham's heart. It can't change the heart of the Christian who dies execution style kneeling before some thug in a head rag over his face because he's too much of a coward to let the world see who he truly is! So why try. Just let us be, and we will let you be. There's a difference in a Christian telling you that you might not get to heaven if you don't change your belief system, and a non-Christian telling us we aren't allowed to do anything to exhibit our faith. A HUGE difference. I will grant you this - the Crusaders in the middle ages went about things the wrong way. But that was hundreds of years ago. The bulk of Christians for the past several hundred years have spread the word of Christ by sharing His good news...certainly not by offing people's heads because of a picture they drew. 

     Seriously, if you want separation of Church and State - Fine. But it needs to put all religions on an equal playing field. It does not need to allow one form of religion to become dominant, or rather - domineering, and single out another just because it doesn't make you feel good about yourself. I am just telling you right now - I am for freedom. Let someone try to force me to denounce God or Christ - it won't happen. There is nothing anyone can do. And I am glad to say I feel the same about everyone else - I want you to believe what you believe. But don't tell me I can't. If you're feeling froggy and feel the same way, spread the word. Christians have just as much right to freedom as anyone else.

That Thin Blue Line

     I was lacing up my tennis shoes after changing out of my uniform and into my work-out clothes. This very nice older gentleman walks up to me in the locker room and taps me on the shoulder. He points to my shirt draped over the locker door, and says, "I noticed that shiny badge there, sir - and I just want to say thank you for what you do." I was taken aback. I have received a lot more of these random comments of appreciation ever since these awful occurrences in Ferguson and New York have happened, but this hit closer to home because it was outside of my work setting, and said with the sincerest of voices. It made me appreciate the field of work I am in, but more importantly, it made me appreciate all those 'in blue' who have way more risky jobs than mine. I am a training officer, and a good percentage of my work takes me out of 'the line of fire' so to speak. So although I still get to respond to calls every now and then (Maybe even arrest someone once in a blue moon), I am not in the thick of things.

     I am not out there on the road, wondering - what car am I going to have to pull over next? Who is sitting behind the wheel? What is waiting for me when I walk up to the driver's side or passenger side window? What is waiting inside that house that we just got a call about, and all our dispatchers could get out of the caller was that somebody had a gun? What is that psychiatric patient who we know is a combat veteran thinking about doing? How many people in this crowd of rowdy individuals is armed? What if one of them pulls a gun on me? What if I see a guy with a gun, and he holds it out but doesn't point it at anyone? What if I have to fight someone who tries to take my gun? How long can I last? What if that person I just took to jail decides to file a false complaint? How can I prove I did nothing wrong? Were there any cameras involved? Did I need to strike that guy who pulled a knife on me before I ended up arresting him? What do I do if some guy with an open chest knife wound wants to fight me? Do I tase him?
    
     Or how about some of the lesser decisions they have to make? Do I stay up all night, because my shift is about to swing back to night shift, or do I go ahead and sleep, and hope I can stay awake all through the next night after being up most of the day before? Do I try to get in some extra practice at the shooting range this weekend to keep myself sharp...or do I spend the weekend with my kid? Do I call in sick to work because I feel like crap, or do I help my platoon out because we've been stretched a little thin this week with other people having to miss work? Do I accept the half-off, or better yet free price the restaurant owner just offered for lunch on my way out the door, or do I go ahead and pay full price like everyone else? Do I pull that car over because I saw that 'California roll' at the stop sign, or do I let them drive for another day? Do I spend time following up on that case that I know will go nowhere because of lack of evidence, or do I just focus on patrolling my beat today? Do I rest these next couple of days off, or go train at the gym and maybe learn a thing or two about defending myself?

     These are just a small fraction of the things cops wrestle with every single day. These are things that, although I have had experience with, I don't have to do every single day. The police officers I have worked with, and the ones I still do....have to make decisions and answer these questions all the time. But here's the crazy part - they VOLUNTEER to do this - for YOU! If you are not in law enforcement, they do this for YOU. If you are in law enforcement but off duty, they do it for YOU. They live to protect and serve. There is something in their very nature that makes them have an innate urge to protect those around them and make them feel safe. Not only do they protect and serve, but they try to uphold the standard for what is right, and what is wrong. They do this because they want to. They do this because someone HAS TO. They face Monday Morning quarterbacks, cowardice politicians, killers, violent criminals, thieves, druggies, wife beaters, child molesters, drunks, drug dealers, child abusers, animal abusers, speeders, car accidents, fires, rabid dogs, snakes, and even terrorists. And they do it for YOU and ME.

     Matthew 5:9 in the Holy Bible states "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." In all of the things I mentioned above, those men and women of blue try to keep the peace through it all. If the peace is broken, they try to make peace out of the situation. If you have never served in law enforcement, please read these words with understanding. Put yourself in their shoes. How would you do their job? Is there maybe a reason you don't do their job? Again, somebody has to. A lot of times, there is a thin blue line between right and wrong. I just wanted to take a moment to tell you about the people that walk that line. I just wanted to take a moment to thank those people - who protect that thin blue line. Thank you, brothers and sisters in Blue!

Jason E. Fort

What is the Activity?

In my debut novel, Misguided, I introduce readers to a very secretive branch of our government that I simply refer to as the Activity. But what, or better yet - who - are they? In my book, I refer to the Activity as being comprised of the top military leaders, the Director of the CIA, and the sitting President of the United States. I wrote that the Activity was actually started at the same time as the CIA back in 1947. So basically it goes back to the days of Harry Truman, and the changing of the guard from the OSS. Now while this all sounds intriguing, the Activity has had its hands in almost every major political action of the United States since 1947. I even allude to the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Granted, every bit of what I write in my novel is fiction...but a lot of that fiction is brought about by fact. What IF...there really were an unseen, unheard group of people who really controlled the puppet strings of our government? I am not saying there is - but if there were, then how would we know? When I started the Knox Mission series, I didn't even mean to delve too deep into this conspiracy. However, I think this could lead to some interesting stories - especially as it relates to the further adventures of John Knox and Malik Sharif. Stay tuned as I write more...the Activity will have bigger and bigger roles in each book in the Knox Mission. And as the series goes on, maybe we will see just how far-reaching the influence of the Activity goes...

The Perfect Story

     I am a writer; a storyteller. In order to become a storyteller, I think you have to be fairly familiar with how other people tell stories. I have always been a big fan of stories told in all sorts of ways...plays, movies, video games, skits, and of course, books. I think every author of a story is trying their best to write that perfect story...it's like the ultimate objective. All the stories that seem to entertain us the most are the ones that do such a good job telling us that story, and answering the biggest questions in the most ways that connect with us. But here's the catch - I don't think any of us are capable of writing the perfect story, because that is a task only achievable by God...and He has already done it. Think about it - if it is the perfect story, it can only be told for the first time once, be totally original, and have all the answers to all the reader's questions.

     However, since I believe the only perfect story ever written is the Bible, plus it's real sequel - HIS story (History), the story is not finished. The good Lord above has begun a work with all of us, and it will not be finished until it ends the way He said it would in Revelation. I honestly think that is why I am such a believer - because I have always been so drawn to stories, and His story answers every major question you should ask (although it might not be the answer we want to hear), and has every aspect that makes up good stories (action, drama, the 'unbelievable' or awe-inspiring, love, violence, reality, and most importantly...TRUTH).

     Who is God? The Bible answers that question. Why are we here? The Bible answers that question. Where did we come from? The Bible actually answers this. What is the meaning of life? See the Bible. Why is pain and suffering in this world? What is love? Why do bad things happen to good people? How do we overcome life's biggest obstacles? Who did it? Who, what, when, where, why, and how? No story in the history of the world has answered all these questions the way the Bible does in a way that doesn't just give humans some self-serving answer. The Bible does this and glorifies God...although eternal life with Him is promised, there is no self serving prize like 72 virgins, or the perfect golden palace, or getting to live as a higher being because you were good while you were here, etc. No, the Bible is ultimately Jesus's story of humility, but then power...the power of God!

     The perfect story, even if we know how it ends...because the best lesson of it all is that the joy in the writing of the story is not even knowing yourself all the things you will experience along the way! The best part is that we are all characters, in a grand story made up of so many plots and subplots, that the human mind cannot begin to comprehend it all. Yet, the author makes this story different from any other story - He gives his characters the ability to choose which ending they want to be a part of. How awesome is that? What is crazy is there are so many people blinded by pride and selfishness, they refuse to be part of the good ending.

     So here's the deal...if you don't believe me, at least start reading the story from the beginning. Then give the story a chance. Apply things you learn in the Bible to your life. Apply it to the pain and suffering in the world, and try to see it from more than just one human's point of view; especially from the point of view that we are not the author. Don't be so skeptical just because the rest of the world tells you to. If you do that, and give the story a chance...just like you may have picked up a book, gotten frustrated with how a book started, then picked it up later only to end up loving it - then maybe you will experience the story the same way I have in my life.

     I will continue to write stories. I will continue to strive to write my perfect stories, just as we Christians strive to live a Christ-like life, despite knowing we will continuously fall short. But I am excited as I write each story, because I don't know what all will happen along the way. I am going to try to get excited about living life day to day, as I attempt to play my part in the perfect story...won't you join me?