Allen Steadham's Blog: From Allen - Write Away!, page 2

The Right Kind of Fear

Let me start with some affirmations:

1. I am not against mask-wearing.

2. I am not against any of the COVID-19 (and its variants) vaccines.

3. I am not against science.

4. I am for using reasoned thinking and common sense.

5. I am for the U.S. Constitution and the freedoms and liberties it stands for.

6. I am for civil and respectful discussions.

The last couple of years under the specter of COVID-19 have changed the world, and not for the better. People of all ages and beliefs live in fear now. Some are afraid to leave their homes, afraid to go to work, afraid for their children and grandchildren’s health and safety. Some are afraid to return to normal.

I can certainly sympathize. People have gotten terribly sick, had complications, and hundreds of thousands have died in the USA alone. Pretty much everyone knows someone who has had the virus (or they have had it themselves) or lost someone to it. That kind of grief is tangible, palpable. It breeds fear.

Some fear is healthy. It keeps us aware, it warns us not to be careless. Such normal caution leads us to hold our young child’s hand in public or lock the door when we leave our homes. There’s a chance our child might get excited and run off or get lost. There’s a chance some stranger might rob our residence while we’re away.

But there is such a thing as unhealthy fear, the kind we may unknowingly project onto others. It’s similar to judging other people without knowing their circumstances. “Why can’t they just get in step like the rest of us?” What if they can’t? What if that is outside of their control?

I get that people want to feel safe and secure. That’s what the law and law enforcement is supposed to provide. It doesn’t always succeed. But since people should not murder, injure, blackmail or steal from one another, the law provides a deterrent and (hopefully) consequence for committing such crimes. They are the responsibility of government and an inviolable mandate against criminal behavior.

Some things, however, should not be mandated by government. Medical matters, for example, which should be private. Public establishments such as restaurants, business offices, gyms and entertainment venues legally have no right for their employees to ask for your vaccination status or medical history under HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). This law was created in the USA in 1996 and remains in effect today.

You can read the expansive HIPAA document, including its Privacy Rule, Security Rule, Enforcement Rule and Breach Notification Rule AT THIS LINK :

So, it is strange and interesting that states like New York, California and Virginia are requiring state workers to get vaccine verification to remain employed. In fairness, Virginia at present allows for weekly Covid testing as an alternative.

New York has gone much further, requiring proof of vaccination to enter indoor facilities such as “movie theaters, music or concert venues, adult entertainment, casinos, botanical gardens, commercial event and party venues, museums and galleries, aquariums, zoos, professional sports arenas and indoor stadiums, convention centers and exhibition halls, performing arts theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, indoor play areas, pool and billiard halls, and other recreational game centers” as well as “indoor food services” and “indoor gyms and fitness settings.”

Of course, there are some exceptions to NYC Mayor DeBlasio’s executive order, but none of them are medical. If you do have a medical or doctor-provided legitimate reason not to take the vaccine (and there are quite a few conditions that qualify), that doesn’t matter in New York.

For clarification, the following is what is exempted under the New York executive order:

Ҥ 2. I hereby order that the following individuals are exempted from this Order, and therefore may enter a covered premises without displaying proof of vaccination, provided that such individuals wear a face mask at all times they are unable to maintain six (6) feet of distance from other individuals inside the covered premises:

* Individuals entering for a quick and limited purpose (for example, using the restroom, placing or picking up an order or service, changing clothes in a locker room, or performing necessary repairs);

* A nonresident performing artist not regularly employed by the covered entity while they are in a covered premises for purposes of performing;

* A nonresident professional athlete/sports team who enters a covered premises as part of their regular employment for purposes of competing; and

* A nonresident individual accompanying a performing artist or professional athlete/sports team into a covered premises as part of their regular employment so long as the performing artist or professional athlete/sports team are performing or competing in the covered premises.”

However, I remind everyone that medical conditions are NOT exempted.

This is what I believe people should fear: abuse of power in the supposed name of public health.

The entire executive order from the New York Mayor is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) . It also has racist overtones, since the executive order would unduly impact African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans, who have been less likely to get vaccinated.

I bring up the New York executive order because it is the most extreme and the least fair. But if such a mandate can be done in New York, it can be done anywhere. And if you doubt me about these facts, you can read the Mayor’s executive order for yourself at the link below.

CLICK HERE FOR NY EMERGENCY ORDER 225

As I stated initially, I am not against mask-wearing or any of the vaccines. People have to decide what is best for themselves and their families. They should also consult a medical professional to determine what is best for their health.

I am against authoritarianism. And I am against the infringement of the rights of Americans by decree (executive order), which is not law.

I have watched and listened to many news sources as this has developed. I have seen dangerous actions spurred on by those who would take advantage of the fears of decent, law-abiding American citizens.

And I cannot be silent. To me, silence is acceptance and assent.

I do not speak representing a political party or a political philosophy. I am a Christian first, an American husband and father before all else. I have been gifted with the ability to write and I will try to use this gift to help others if I can.

I am promoting personal liberty and freedom. But I am not suggesting a particular action. That is between you, your medical professional, your conscience and whatever else you believe in. Be informed and decide for yourself.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Into The Unknown Releases Today!

Into The Unknown: Seven Tales of Faith and Bravery has released! Seven Christian science fiction tales by seven authors with Ambassador International. It contains my short story "The Fate of Transport 80-14."

However, there has been some kind of issue with Amazon. So, the only places you can get the ebook today is Barnes & Noble and Googleplay. Fortunately, Barnes & Noble has a free NOOK app for iOs, Android and PC.

BUY ON BARNES & NOBLE

BUY ON GOOGLEPLAY

I'll keep you updated on Amazon and other locations as I get that information. Thanks for understanding and happy reading!

An Unwelcome Battlefield

I have been an outspoken critic of Critical Race Theory, especially this year since researching it. I’m going to break this down into straightforward points and I think you’ll understand why I oppose it, whether or not you agree. And I appreciate your consideration and patience in advance.

Critical Race Theory is based in a faulty premise, that all people are inherently racist, which is untrue. Racism is taught. People are not born racist or privileged. They are born human beings, completely dependent upon whoever raises them. They can’t even communicate aside from cries or movements. Language is taught. Everything else is instinct prior to that.

Critical Race Theory is based on a model of conflict: oppressor and oppressed. This is its Marxist core. There must be revolution to bring about change. Peaceful change is not possible, there must be upheaval. The old (history, legislation including the US Constitution, and traditions based in the culture of the “oppressor”) must be thrown out, destroyed. Canceled.

In Critical Race Theory, reality — and even compromise — is rejected in favor of the new order. Oppressed must become oppressor for justice to occur. Certain races cannot be racist. And yet, Critical Race Theory contradicts this because it presumes everyone is racist, even if they don’t know it. It literally promotes race hatred.

Critical Race Theory and its cousin “Antiracism” (which does not oppose racism, it promotes it) presumes that “white people” (their words, not mine) have always been in power and are the oppressor. It also presumes that all people of color (except Asians, who are somehow closely related to white people, which literally makes no sense) are oppressed. Yet it encourages anti-white and anti-Asian discrimination, because discrimination against the oppressor is justified and some form of justice against past discrimination.

Critical Race Theory encourages racial segregation and discourages interracial relationships. It also promotes the racial supremacy of people of color.
Critical Race Theory is what people want your children and grandchildren to learn in school. It is already being taught in colleges (where it began). It has spread within the US Government.

If I sound alarmist, you’ll have to forgive me. I had to face a lot of racial opposition to my marriage from people of different races. I sacrificed finishing college to be with the love of my life. My three children are multiracial. My middle son has had this hatred shoved at him by college educators and told to write a paper on it. I have stakes in this figurative game. Everyone should.

Critical Race Theory is marketed as harmless, as fixing the wrongs of history and routing out systemic racism. It is (and does) none of those things. Anything that has to lie about what it is cannot be a good thing. It denies the accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement. It opposes Dr. King’s dream.

Lastly, Critical Race Theory has no endgame. What happens when its “racially just utopia” is achieved? All races are segregated, white people and Asians are relegated to second class citizenship, and people hate each other based on the color of their skin. History is rewritten by the new oppressors. This is somehow good?

We would essentially find ourselves in an alternate reality where it’s the pre-Civil Rights Era, but the races have changed. And if you think that can't happen, California recently voted on whether or not to repeal (undo) their Civil Rights legislation. Thankfully, that effort failed. But what was the point of even trying to do that? People wanted to be able to discriminate against other races...legally.

I rarely make such definitive statements, but I believe this way of thinking is evil. It is meant to bring harm — and it has. People are being hurt, even killed. Those carrying out the crimes are being driven by this way of thinking, they are motivated by strong emotion. By hate. There is no justice in this. And the endgame is sadly very predictable.

In the late 1960s, even Star Trek understood the basic idea that two extremely divided views on race cannot co-exist. The idea of any kind of race hatred, no matter who is voicing that hate, will ultimately lead to one terrible end, if followed to its logical conclusion.

I urge you to watch this short clip from "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”

ANTI-RACISM SHOULD NOT BE RACIST

America, we do have a race problem...and it’s not what you might think it is.

Last year, I thoroughly covered my understanding about past injustices stemming the country’s slavery and post-slavery days. I stated my support for the non-violent efforts that led to the success of the Civil Rights movement. I shared my perspective as a Caucasian man happily married for nearly twenty-six years to a wonderful African-American woman, and my pride in being the father of three mixed-race children.

I have watched over the last year as the United States has grappled with renewed racial tensions, too many times leading to violence, destruction and spilled blood. I have seen all kinds of viewpoints, ranging from measured and calm to violent extremism and everything in-between. I have seen and heard racist rhetoric from surprising sources, some nationally and some closer to home.

I have looked into Critical Race Theory and read or listened to the words of people calling themselves “anti-racists.” And I have seen some disturbing trends with one thing in common: racism is passing itself off as anti-racism.

It’s easy to see.

What am I talking about? We’ll start with anti-Caucasian (or anti-white) sentiment. And while there has been anti-white sentiment in various social circles for decades, it was mostly harmless, just people’s opinions. But then the 2020 race riots happened and anti-white rhetoric jumped to new highs (or lows, depending on your point of view). Books like White Fragility and How To Be An Anti-Racist became best sellers nationwide. People took renewed interest in Critical Race Theory, which not only makes some questionable assumptions, but by its very structure, does not allow reasoned discussion about its contents. If you question Critical Race Theory’s validity or usefulness, that very action is assumed to be based in racism.

Here’s the problem with that: Critical Race Theory is just that — a theory. Let’s look at the definition of theory, according to the Cambridge Dictionary: “a formal statement of the rules on which a subject of study is based or of ideas that are suggested to explain a fact or event or, more generally, an opinion or explanation.” Theories are ideas. They can be proven, disproven, or even revised later when more data is acquired. No theory is perfect or foolproof. And no theories are beyond question, even if they are designed to be that way. A theory that refuses to be examined is a theory that its authors are trying to protect, acting as if that theory is not strong enough to stand up to scrutiny or debate. That is dishonest intellectualism at its worst.

Too many of the recent “anti-racism” sentiments have been combative, one-sided, and now have evolved a perspective that White People must be trained (or re-educated, a concept disturbingly reminiscent of certain communist regimes throughout the last century) to think or be less of themselves. This is perceived to somehow balance the scales for past racism, whether theirs or their ancestors or other White people and their ancestors.

Coca-Cola recently received a public backlash for a whistleblower exposing slides from a training session for its employees called “Confronting Racism, with Robin D’Angelo (the author of White Fragility).” The training suggested the white employees should be “less white, less arrogant, less certain, less defensive, less ignorant and more humble.” The training also included “Research shows that by age 3 to 4, children understand that it is better to be white” with no citation to back it up.

Here’s a simple way to debunk this: replace “white” with any other race or ethnicity. It instantly becomes racist as can be. Just because Caucasians are the focus does not negate the racism. Whether of European or any other light-pigmented descent, focusing on Caucasians as a race makes this racist. It is painting with the broadest strokes using colossal assumptions...and it’s wrong.

Anyone can be a racist. There is no “reverse discrimination” or “reverse racism,” there is only racism. Thinking of any race as superior or inferior is racist and wrong. Trying to make anyone of any race think they are superior or inferior to any other race is racist and wrong.

Coca-Cola issued a statement to clarify their position on this training: “Our Better Together global learning curriculum is part of a learning plan to help build an inclusive workplace. It is comprised of a number of short vignettes, each a few minutes long. The training includes access to LinkedIn Learning on a variety of topics, including on diversity, equity and inclusion.”

This disturbed me more than Coca-Cola giving racist training to its employees. LinkedIn is now partnering with racists to spread racist ideology to Corporate America and anyone who wants to view it? All in the name of diversity, inclusion, and “combating racism.”

At this point, let me make something crystal clear. There are some tried and true ways to experience diversity, inclusion, and to ultimately defeat racism and prejudice:

1. Be open and friendly to EVERYONE

2. Show love and compassion to EVERYONE

3. DON’T segregate yourself. In other words, make friends and develop relationships with people of all races, whether at your job, on your commute, at school or university, at church, or in general

4. DON’T judge others, especially on something visual like skin color or appearance

When people do these things, they don’t ignore someone’s skin color or heritage, they accept and embrace those elements. It becomes part of their world and who they are. No one loses anything — and everyone wins!

These simple truths may sound naive, but they work. I have lived them for over half my life. I don’t see my children as half-black and half-white, I see them as an amazing blend of me and my wife, everything including ethnicity, race, culture and so much more. I didn’t fall in love with my wife because of the color of her skin, but I think she looks amazing. I accept and love all of who she is.

So yes, the United States of America does have a race problem:

1. People are finding reasons to segregate themselves into various race and ethnic groups;

2. People are learning new reasons to hate and devalue others simply because of their race, ethnicity, or the color of their skin;

3. People think they can correct old injustices by inflicting new ones, using racism in the supposed name of anti-racism; and

4. America is moving further and further away from Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream

Even so, we have the opportunity to change things.

We can choose:

- love over hate;

- inclusion over exclusion; and

- defeat ignorance by learning about one another and understanding the differences of others while striving to improve ourselves

That’s not limited to one race or ethnicity.

We can all do better, every one of us.

Surviving The (Winter) Storm

Last week, Texas experienced weather unlike any it had seen in the last century. Certainly, it was different from any I'd seen in my lifetime. The entire state, the second largest in the United States, was enveloped by five winter storms in a row — within seven days!

Temperatures which had been in the eighties the week before dropped into single digits, with wind chills below zero. Ice and snow fell as fast as the thermometer readings and then that mess stuck around all week. In fact, we got second and third rounds of ice and snow. Driving became treacherous, then all but impossible.

Worse still, the State's electrical grid, not properly weatherized, was put under tremendous strain. Rolling blackouts became long-lasting power outages happening at the most abysmal time: during sub-freezing temperatures with wind chills so low that they warranted their own weather warnings (even the weather forecasters had never seen a Wind Chill Warning in South Central Texas).

A lot of people lost water, too. Water treatment plants shut off during the power outages, causing some to have to boil their water (if they had the means to do so). Some people had to boil snow to get water.

Our household went without power or heat for twenty-eight hours straight, right when temperatures were dipping to their lowest. We had water, thankfully, even if we didn't have hot water.

It was the uncertainty that was the most stressful. At first, it seemed like we'd only have a couple of days to get through. Power was only supposed to be out from fifteen to sixty minutes, which was way beyond optimistic. We had no idea when power and heat would return.

We had the kids with us and we were all safe. But we had to keep warm, layering our clothes, and covering the living room window with a blanket to keep the cold out. We put perishable food from the freezer and refrigerator into thick bags that we packed in snow on our porch.

Truthfully, there were some tense moments. Conditions worsened outside more than once and we did start to get low on provisions, but we never ran out.

My wife and I had to pray for guidance. And the Lord provided through the kindness of family, friends, and even strangers. Our neighbor even lent us a cooler to help out with keeping our perishables cold. And since the outside temperatures were colder than the freezer anyway, it was the one advantage to the wintery conditions.

My sister-in-law shared an idea with my wife to make a tent in the living room. We didn't have an actual tent, but we pulled all of our chairs and taped brooms and other objects to act as "stakes" and covered them with blankets and sheets (held together by bobby pins). Putting more blankets inside and adding some battery-powered lights, the tent held in heat and provided a cozy space to tell stories, play Uno, chill out or sleep. Our facemasks came in handy when things got really cold, whether inside or outside.

We ate cold sandwiches, cereal, fruit. snacks, and even did some rudimentary heating of already cooked items using an improvised oil lamp and a metal pie pan.

My wife and I went out daily to start up the car to keep it functional. We knew we weren't going anywhere until the ice started melting, but we wanted to make sure the car was available for any emergency if we needed it. Thankfully, we didn't.

Though power and regular internet were out, we used our phones to keep track of the forecast, news, and stay in touch with the outside world. I even did some editing of The Former Things on my laptop, using its fully charged battery while also recharging my phone.

Every day, we prayed. We prayed individually and we prayed together as a family. We appreciated everyone who prayed for us on social media (especially our Facebook friends). So many people were praying for us and the people of Texas, all over the world. It was heartwarming and inspiring.

By Wednesday, the power was back for good and by Thursday, some of the snow and ice had started to melt in places. I risked driving to the local grocery store (H.E.B.) with my oldest son. We had to wait in line in the snow, but it wasn't bad. We made it inside in about forty-five minutes, as H.E.B. was letting fifty people in at a time. There was no produce, little beef and no chicken. But there was turkey and pork, so I got some of that. We found other things we needed by getting off-brand or store brand items. We restocked, for all intents and purposes, and we got back home safely.

Friday night was the last hard freeze, dipping below thirty degrees. Saturday, high temperatures reached into the low sixties and were expected to stay above freezing for the foreseeable future.

The worst may be over, but there are many people still in need and the Texas recovery is just beginning. At least twenty people died from the extreme cold. Tragically, some died or were hospitalized from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in efforts to stay warm using cars and stoves. There were many dozens of car collisions due to ice and snow. One hundred and thirty-three of those happened in one pile up in Dallas. Another twenty-six car collision happened just a few miles from where we live. And all across the state, there were injuries from slips and falls.

Schools, businesses and residences have suffered tremendous damage from burst pipes, collapsed structures from built up ice and snow, and more.Some people are still without power or water. A lot of us were unable to work and had no paid leave to cover the time we were out. And people who work from home couldn't do so without power. There will be short-term and long-term hurtles ahead.

Please continue praying for the people of Texas. We need your prayers. They already made a real difference this week and they surely will in the days and months to come.

Thank you.

Overcoming The World

(Originally written January 24, 2021)

While there are many deep divisions of thought and opinion, both in the United States and around the world, there is one thing we can depend on: God is real. He is eternal, unchanging, holy and the source of all love and everything good. We can call on Him and depend on Him, no matter the circumstances.

I recently finished reading Job in the Old Testament. I will always be amazed by God's response to Job:

Job 38: 22-38 (King James Version - KJV)

Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?

Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?

Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?

Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, when the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?

For what He is and what He can do, the Lord is beyond our comprehension. Yet based on examples in the Bible throughout history, and even through our continued existence as a human race, I believe it is undeniable that God loves us. We are His creations, beings given souls and the Breath of Life from God Himself.

We may come up with reasons to divide ourselves from one another, to see differences in each other based on our skin color, country of origin, belief systems (political or spiritual) and as many ultimately small reasons we can think up, but at the same time, we have undeniable things in common. We have the same basic biological and emotional needs. We all bleed red. We all have aspirations, passions and we all need hope to continue on in life.

Keeping this in mind, our divisions are only as relevant as we make them.

God, through His Own Example in Jesus Christ, showed us what unity is supposed to be: submission to God's Will for our lives.

Jesus was accused of being a devil, even though He was the Son of God and lived a sinless life. Though Jesus performed miracles, healed the sick, raised the dead, changed water to wine, and fed thousands with only a couple of loaves of bread and a few fish, people still people did not believe Jesus was who He said He was. The religious leaders called His claims of being the Son of God blasphemy and condemned Jesus.

Despite all that, He did not fight back, curse or put the blame on others. He willingly suffered wrongs beyond what we can imagine. Submitting to God's Will, Jesus took up His cross and allowed Himself to be the sacrifice for all of our sins. He died and was resurrected so the Holy Spirit could be sent to the world to provide us a path for salvation and peace.

I John 2: 1-6 (KJV) reads:

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

In addition, I John 2: 15 - 17 (KJV) reads:

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

We can depend on the Lord to keep His Holy Word. It requires faith and patience that only the Holy Spirit can provide. But these gifts are available to us, we only have to call on Him and believe.

We don't have to be afraid in the face of uncertainty. No matter what concerns you — whether the pandemic or lockdowns, political unrest — or any other fear or concern, we can all find assurance in God's promises.

In John 16: 33 (KJV), Jesus said:

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Where Do I Go From Here?

(Originally written January 9, 2021)

We live in interesting times...

In my view, it is no longer a matter of whether the world we have always known is changing. It has changed and will continue to. I don't think I need to go into the specifics, as this has been publicly discussed at great length.

Despite these developments, I am not afraid and I have hope. My hope is not for which direction my country or the world will go from here, that will change from day to day. Instead, my hope is in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. So long as I place my trust in Him, the Holy Spirit will continue to guide me.

I will continue to serve my Lord however He wants me to. I will continue to write Christian fiction. I sent the manuscript for The Former Things to my publisher, Ambassador International, this week. And I will push forward on Book One of the Steam & Mettle series. I will perform with my wife in First Light wherever we are needed. My family and I will go to church and seek the Lord's will for our lives. And I will seek to have peace with everyone I encounter and to conform more to the image of Jesus Christ by His grace.

My prayers are for all of you. As always, I would appreciate your prayers and well wishes also.

New Jordan's Deliverance Sneak Peek!

The following excerpt is from Jordan's Deliverance (Book 3 in the Jordan of Algoran series) by Allen Steadham. It takes place on Earth approximately fifty years from now.
​
Jo Cartens didn't mind that her magped was a ten-year-old model with fading blue and yellow colors. She had named it Mabel. It was surprisingly plush, sturdy, and dependable. She had installed new magnetic shock absorbers and recently replaced the failing core module. That allowed for smoother travel or idling in place. Mabel wasn’t the fastest model, but she didn’t have to be. Jo only lived three miles from her job as a history professor at Chintawka University in Chase Creek, Colorado. The cool afternoon wind was picking up and the clouds were threatening rain. A few drops bounced off the windscreen and her helmet.

She smiled as she passed the slower-moving 305 bus, which was currently empty. During her time as a student, she had ridden the 305 at all hours of the day and night. All mass transit had become remote controlled and thus driverless about fifteen years ago. Behind her, she heard the bus release its magnetic seal with a loud whirr and it began moving forward again.

She should get home before it stormed. Ethan would become spooked by thunder and lightning. It wouldn’t help if she got in an accident, either.

A block ahead of Jo, there was a flash of bright light. Instinctively, she made a wide swerve to avoid whatever it was, then eased into the brakes, pulling over to stop. A multi-colored portal appeared and began swirling in mid-air. Her eyes widened as she saw a blue-haired woman in some kind of long robe stumble out of the phenomenon.

The woman stood, apparently uninjured. But she was in the bus’s path. The woman appeared disoriented.

“Lady, get out of the way!”

The vehicle automatically blared its piercing horn at the living object in its path. The woman had triggered its proximity sensors and its brakes screamed to life. Horrified, Jo watched the other woman plant her feet to the ground and extend her arms forward, her head down.

“Are you insane? Jump! It’ll—”

Before she could cover her eyes, Jo witnessed the impossible. The front of the bus’s metal frame came to an abrupt halt and crumpled, smashing against the blue-haired woman’s grip. Glass from the windshield and windows shattered into thousands of tiny pieces. Tilting from the impact, the bus fell on its left side. And instead of a bloody pulp, the other woman was almost unscathed, aside from some scratches caused by tiny, razor-like shrapnel. More startling to Jo, the woman’s feet had dug into the pavement where she had been pushed backwards by the transport vehicle, creating twin trails in the concrete.

Jo was frozen in place, stunned, her mouth hanging open. She blinked several times.

That . . . couldn’t be real!

________


Jordan hadn’t felt the rush of the vortex in decades. It had grabbed her like a thing alive and thrashed her about in its clutches, shifting violently in a torrent of motion as lights flashed all around her. When it finally released her, she was barely coherent enough to land on her feet and run to a stop. Then she heard something approaching. Whatever it was, it was big and so close, it was almost on top of her.

I cannot get out of the way in time!

Instinctively, she dug her feet in place and reached out to protect herself. A heartbeat later, it felt like a wall of metal rammed into her. She held onto it and rode out the shockwave. She could feel her feet burning as they ripped up the ground. She screamed, determined to survive, though the noise from the collision’s aftermath drowned her out. Jordan heard whatever had hit her topple onto the ground. For an instant, she feared it might fall on her.

Seconds later, it was over. Jordan’s adrenaline was fading fast and she felt herself sliding down towards the ground. Now on all fours, she was trying to catch her breath, but the air had a chemical tang to it that was offensive; she coughed, almost gagging at one point. She leaned forward, covering her mouth and nose with her hand as her hair covered her eyes. It took an effort not to lose consciousness or vomit.

“How are you even alive?” a female voice reached through to her. As she lifted her head, she saw the blurry silhouette of a woman walking towards her.

Is that—English? It has been so long; I had forgotten how it sounded!

The Divisiveness of Racism

Racism is on a lot of people’s minds right now. Most of us have either seen or heard about the terribly disturbing video showing the death of Floyd George. And many of us are aware that such injustices happen far too often, particularly to African-American men. There is understandable anguish, anger, and outrage. That outrage has spilled over into violence, with at least thirty cases of arson in Minnesota. The Fire Department reported that their equipment sustained damage from rocks being thrown at Fire Trucks being sent to put out the fires.

This wasn’t only about Floyd George, though his preventable death should not be minimized. There is fear mixed with this anger: Fear for African-American men and women’s lives. Fear for the loss of good people — sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, fathers and mothers — all with hopes, dreams, and limitless potential. There have been abuses of power by those in authority, as the video of Floyd George’s death certainly showed. Such anger and despair also arise from overt cases of racism like the murder of Ahmaud Arbery by a white father and son in Georgia as well as Amy Cooper calling the police on Christian Cooper in New York City’s Central Park. Instances like these don’t always make the news, but they happen across the country every day.

Another element of this is the history of white-on-black racism in the United States. Words cannot do justice to the grief, pain, fear, and resentment this has caused. And while progress has been made towards acknowledging that history and making changes for the better, there is room for improvement. As we have seen in recent years, there are people of all races who hold onto the poison of prejudice.

Before I continue, I need to state that as a white man married to a black woman and the father of three biracial children, I have a unique perspective on this. My in-laws, who I love dearly, are African-American. Many of the people from my church, many of my brothers and sisters in Christ, are African-American. I understand their fears and frustrations.

I won’t claim to have definitive answers; I can only offer my perspective as a Christian husband, father, and writer. These tragedies should not occur. They happen because evil is in the world. Racism and prejudice are most often taught through example. And people can respond to one example of racism with their own racism. It begins in the mind and heart. It leads to malicious thoughts. Those thoughts eventually manifest in some outward display, whether hurtful words, actions or even violence. The atrocity of racism festers in the corners of every ethnicity on the planet and no one is immune. Because it can grow so rapidly, fueled by emotion, it has to be guarded against.

It can seem hard to love others when faced with this kind of problem. There’s been so much pain caused by so many bad things happening to so many people over the years. This can make a person want to withdraw from others or just be around people like themselves. But that kind of thinking is divisive. It creates self-segregation, where people mainly (or only) hang around others from their own ethnic group, whatever that ethnic group is. It is my opinion (based on experience), that if someone is only exposed to their own ethnic group, it leads to ethnocentric behavior and ultimately, some form of racism. Whether it’s in one’s social circles, work environment or even church, this can happen.

Some of this is caused by fear of the unknown. Some of this is caused by a need to be around what one feels comfortable or safe with. And some of it is caused by privilege and feeling one does not have to go outside their comfort zone. Whatever the reasoning, it creates an insulating culture and that is not good.

In contrast, deliberately becoming involved with people from all kinds of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures is very effective at combating and even preventing racism.

My concern, and the reason for my writing this, is that people are becoming consumed by their emotions due to these terrible circumstances. I share the hope of many that the justice system will prevail and those who have done these wrongs will receive appropriate punishment. However, no matter what happens, my prayer is that people will not let their hearts be infected and darkened by these events. I want to see people show more kindness to one another as human beings, not as this race or that race. We all have hearts and we all bleed red. We can get along and thrive if we keep making the effort to. That's not wishful thinking. I (and others) have lived it, I know it can be done.

Outrage in the face of a travesty is normal, it’s human. We should be upset when someone is treated unfairly. But then what? We have free will. We can make choices. Will we control the anger and turn it around into something positive? Or will we let the anger control us? Only you and I can decide that.

I’ll finish this with a scripture. In Matthew 5: 43-45 (KJV), Jesus said:

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Thanks for reading this.

Why I'm Proud To Be A Christian

Being a Christian seems to mean different things to different people. Some people see it as good and others see it as bad, for a variety of reasons.

I’m just one man. I can’t possibly represent all people who call themselves Christian. I can only share myself with you. These are my feelings and views.

As a Christian, it is my nature to care about people — all people — regardless of race, gender, age, nationality, ability, belief system, sexual orientation, financial status, immigration status and any other qualifying factors. I don’t hate anyone. That all changed when I gave my life to Christ. I wasn’t a bigot before my conversion but I did hold grudges and there were individuals whom I hated. I left all that behind, the way I abandoned cursing, lying, manipulating, drinking alcohol and abusing illegal drugs.

I don’t judge any individual. That is not my responsibility nor do I desire to do so. But I can dislike any act or behavior, whether legal or illegal, that deliberately inflicts suffering and loss on self or others. In other words, I don’t like sin.

That said, I know I’ve made plenty of mistakes over the years. I’ve unintentionally caused hurt and pain. When I’ve been made aware, I’ve tried to make amends, though I haven’t always succeeded. I’m always learning and trying to grow, both as a person and as a Christian.

Why did I write that just now? Because God didn’t make those mistakes. Jesus Christ did not make those mistakes. I did. I believe sometimes people blame God and Jesus for the shortcomings of fallible human beings. I think that's especially true for those who cause harm to others while hypocritically proclaiming their Christianity.

Jesus warned of this in Matthew 7: 13-20 (King James Version)

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

Matthew 7: 21-23 (King James Version)

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

God does not change. His love is inexhaustible. He and Jesus exist outside time itself and can see and understand all things. They are not limited by people’s perceptions of them. They do not and will not fit into what people want them to be. They are who they are, regardless of who believes in Them.

So here’s why I’m proud to be a Christian. My life has dramatically changed since I accepted Christ in January 1996. My conscience was cleaned by the Holy Spirit.

I was given new purpose, hope and potential. I learned how to be a better husband, father, and person. My wife and I joined a Christian band called First Light, so I developed as a musician and singer (and so did she). The Lord altered the direction of the comics I was creating. And eventually, He sent me down the path to becoming a Christian fiction author.

I’m not ashamed of who I am and who I’ve become. I have a wonderful African-American wife. We cherish and love each other equally. We've been married since 1995 and have three children together. I have family in so many ways. I have friends all over the globe. I can write Christian fiction stories that people have started buying. It's very exciting!

I don’t have to be a millionaire to be rich. I am most content with all that I have. I am wealthy in love, peace, and joy.

I know this world is filled with an incalculable amount of sadness, heartache, bitterness, loss, and hate. People suffer every day, they are suffering right now, for so many reasons. People lose hope all the time.

But no matter what people are going through, there is an answer. Hope is out there, it can be renewed. And there can be peace, a love to see anyone through any ordeal. A love that surpasses limits and understanding. It may not stop the hurt, but it can give people strength to endure another minute, hour or day. It can offer stability where none exists.

That’s why I’m sharing this. I was compelled to write it. I know it can’t reach or please everyone; that’s impossible. But even if it helps one person in any way, then it’s worth it.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.