Jason E. Fort's Blog, page 10

These Two Are Not Compatible!

I read a news article today that discussed the new trend for so-called Christian leaders to embrace Islam, to the point of mixing Islamic verses and teachings with Christian messages. This is at the minimum, blasphemy, and at the worst, apostasy.I almost can't believe this is going on today. We have exchanged peace for political correctness. There was a time when most Christian leaders would have spoken with Muslims peacably, but still not bend to the will of Islam and 'submit' like the religion itself wants. Instead, they would've at least said, 'We wish you no ill will, but we will tell you that Jesus is the Son of God, and there is no path to Heaven with Our Father, except through Him.'Now fiction has become reality. I am reading a novel right now, and the author has nailed it on the head that her story is prophetic, and shows how this whole "Chrislam" idea that's being propagated by the Catholic Church, and especially the Vatican, could bring about dire consequences, probablywillbring about the beginning of the end, and is one of the greatest threats to Christians today.First of all, this can open up such open acceptance to sacrilige, that millions could be lost to damnation because they were so deceived and never knew the truth. And because of the lack of flexibility on the part of Islam with other faiths, this Chrislam will just be a one way street. While supposed Christians will bend over backwards and accept parts of the Muslim faith, the Muslims will accept absolutely nil the other way.I understand the yearning for peace. Of course I support peace with Muslims. But the only true way to make sure that we are saved, and save Muslims along with us, is to tell the truth. Jesus said He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man can enter His gates and come to the Father except through Him. He tells us in chapter 14 of the book of John. Dear fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who read this...open your eyes. If you've fallen asleep, wake up! The devil is knocking in the guise of Islam, and if you're not paying attention, the Church will lose many potential souls, all in the name of politcal correctness!

The Approaching Storm

I was asked recently, "Do you feel that we are nearing the end times, and do you feel like it's necessary to be prepared for this?"I had an answer, and although it was not too different from what I am about to say, I've had time to think about my answer, and I want to make sure people understand where I stand on this.Now let me start off by saying I am a Christian, and I firmly believe that my heart is already prepared for the end times, regardless of when they happen. I also would never claim that I know or have complete understanding of God's timing; it has always been something that has kept me in awe. I have even written or made reference in the past on God telling us that His return will come like a thief in the night, and nobody knows when that day will be.But I look at it like this; the end times prophesied by John of Patmos in the book of Revelation, as well as books leading all the way back to early in the Old Testament are like a dark storm that we know is coming. The Bible is like a weather forecaster who happens to know, 100%, that the storm system is coming. The RADAR and doppler show it is with absolute certainty that this storm is going to hit us, but the instruments just can't get a reading on exactly when. It's like the forecaster can see the storm coming for sure, but he knows there is a huge microburst just trying to come out, but there is no way to tell exactly when it will happen. And since I think time is finite to the Almighty, then my answer is, yes, the time is growing nigh in the great big scheme of things. So then of course the question becomes, 'should we be prepared?'I think part of the reason God has placed me on a certain path in my life, a path that led to law enforcement, and writing, and protecting - I think I would be shirking my duties as a Christian if I said no to that question. I think I have been preparing my whole life to find different ways to help others become more prepared for what is to come; from the dangers that may come, to the hopeful messages we can find intermingled with all the craziness of mankind and today's news stories.What do people in Tornado Alley do, if they are at home and know the urgency is there? They gather their families and seek shelter from the storm, preferrably out of danger, locked away in the cellar underneath the house. What do the homeowners or store owners do when the hurricane is invetibale and is coming to shore in their coastal town? They shore up the windows with boards, and they either seek shelter in place, or they evacuate ahead of the storm.Shouldn't we be doing the same? As believers in Christ, even though we know He is going to save us, shouldn't we be gathering our family members for the coming storm? That family, according to the Gospel, can be anyone we can welcome into the flock through their faith in God's Son. If a storm is coming and we know it, that's not a little secret we keep to ourselves. We spread the news. We try to rally the believers, and we have them prepare their own families for the violent storm ahead. Now I am not a prepper, per se...but I have no problem with those that are. I believe in being ready in your own way, and if that means the scout's way; the paramilitary way; the hoarder way - go right ahead. But I honestly think preparation of the heart is what matters the most.But I still at least try to tell people, because I know some of the signs of things to come are dangerous and frightening in and of themselves. Trust God, but lock your door, because the ungodly will gain strength before it is all said and done. Don't get caught just standing there watching when the violent and evil attack. Protect yourself and protect others. I will do my part in that regard.As for your heart, is it prepared? I recommend prayer...prayer for wisdom; prayer for courage; prayer for safety. But pray for discernment, and if you haven't accepted Jesus as the Savior of us all, read more in the News Testament of the Bible while you still can. Here's a link right here: www.biblegateway.com .Until next time, God bless.Jason

But She Just Wanted to Save the Snakes

Adaptation is a funny thing. News reports came out throughout the zoological world, and two particular snakes were in trouble. The rare eagle, Assad's Raptor, had exploded in population in just one region in the entire world - North America. But for herpetologists Sara and Neil, this posed a particular very real threat. Assad's Raptor was known to only dine on two specific species of snakes...the North American King Snake, and the North American Coral Snake. To make matters worse, the Assad's Raptors were hunting in groups, virtually annihilating huge fractions of the population of both species. And the population of the raptors in the United States was getting way out of control; so much so that both species of snakes were known to cohabitate in the same environment...sometimes even the same den! According to studies, this was unheard of until recently, considering the King Snake had been famous for eating Coral Snakes. But the threat of the new neighbor, the imfamous Assad's Raptor, had forced the two species to adapt. That adaptation resulted in even more visible similarities than already existed. Scientists were puzzled at the phenomenon, but Sara and Neil knew they had to do something.Now Sara and Neil set out to save the snakes. They got teams together, and they ventured out into the hot desert areas where the population for both species was most prevalent. Each team went their separate ways to attack the problem. Now Sara's team of zoologists was made up of mostly young college students, and they wanted to 'Save the snakes'. They had such big hearts, they threw caution to the wind, and braved the wilds, and dug into these new dens where the snakes had been known to dwell. There was only one problem; the Coral Snakes were extremely venomous, and the two scientists certainly couldn't afford to bring extra anti-venom along. But Sara and her students knew that what they were doing was right, and when they saw flocks of Raptors in the sky, they knew they had to act. They just knew their great big hearts for the beautiful Coral Snakes would be worth it if they got bitten...they could just milk some of the Coral Snakes if anyone got in trouble. After all; these students were science students; surely they could tell the difference between the two species, and just be cautious around the Coral Snakes they could identify. But when Sara's team encountered the den of snakes, all of the snakes looked alike. Although they were a little more frightened about this, the screeches of the raptors outside the den spurred them on. But as they rounded up as many of the snakes as they could in order to give them a safer place to live, student after student was bitten. Pretty soon it was too difficult to tell any snakes apart, and just about everyone in Sara's team began to pass out from the effects of snake venom.Meanwhile, Neil's team attacked a much larger den a little farther to the north. Here, too, were the two species living amongst each other, and they could not tell them apart. But Neil's team of older, more veteran, scholarly folk of a different generation were careful. Every snake they found was handled with a snake handler's claw, and they used special thick canvas bags that were strategically just porous enough to allow snakes to breathe, but not bite through the bag. And although they could hear the same shriek of the approaching raptors, members of Neil's group treated each and every snake like it was venomous, just in case. Before long, they had saved most of the snakes in the den; they'd rounded up as many as they brought containers for, and they loaded them all up and carried them away.Neil and his team showed back up at the base camp. They arranged for transportation for twice the number they'd captured because they were still expecting Sara to get back with her students. After waiting for quite a while, Neil rounded up a search team to hunt for Sara and the students; they should've reported back to the camp a long time ago. So they left some people to watch the snakes, and they went searching for the other team. It took a while, but eventually Neil ran to a cave where one of the search party had been yelling, "Over here! Over here!"And there inside the snake's den, Sara and her team were scattered about on the ground...with no more snakes to save, and raptors picking at the bones of students and snakes alike.Well - this was a gruesome ending, wasn't it. However, the world we live in is much more dangerous than a few venomous snakes and raptors...just ask ISIS. Ask yourself...shouldn't we at least take all the same precautions with every refugee that comes here to seek refuge from a Muslim country. No - not all Muslims practice radical teaching. But the ones that do easily blend in amongst the ones that don't, with the strategy of piercing the whole of the world with their venom. And before it's all said and done, they won't even be the victors...someone much bigger and badder will come along. Food for thought - no pun intended.

"A Great Big Hole in His Heart..."

I attended church this morning, and one of our pastors, we'll call him Pastor Chad, gave a great man's man sermon. He had my attention right away by quoting my favorite Western of all time,Tombstone. He quoted the scene when the character Wyatt Earp is contemplating taking on the villain Johnnie Ringo."What makes a man like Ringo, Doc, do the things he does?" he asks the famous Doc Holliday. To which Doc replies,"A man like Ringo got a great empty hole right through the middle of him."Then Chad went on to relate this quote to what the world has convinced us to believe, especially during the 'shopping season' - that the world and all its goods on sale can help fill that hole. I loved this analogy. And it is so true. All you have to do is pay attention to commercials, and how they advertise. They all tell you how you need the next big truck that can tow an oil tanker, or the next big shot gun that can hold extra shells. They tell the women of the world that they can buy this product to help them look more beautiful; they tell all the men that their product helps you burn fat and build lean muscle faster than anyone else. They are constantly trying to get you to feel like you are never good enough.How true is this for all of us, if we don't have something bigger than ourselves? How many children, at a very young age, not only say, "Mine! Mine!", but also say "More...I want more!" It is a natural human tendency.And yet Pastor Chad went on to say what we as Christians can have, because Jesus Christ fills that hole, if we let him...that is God's love and purpose. He went on to quote C.S. Lewis, who simply stated, "I have found a desire within myself that no experience in this world can satisfy; the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."Ask yourself, if you have ever felt like you had to have more...more money; more material things to be like your neighbor or co-workers; more enjoyment of your job; and yet, did you somehow figure it all out and obtained everything you ever wanted? If you can answer yes, I have everything and I got it all by myself - well, I just don't think you're being honest with yourself. Besides, if you did it all by yourself, for yourself, that means you ended up hurting someone in the process to get it.But things don't work that way with God. He tells us time and time again in the scriptures that we were meant for more, and yet all we have to do to have more, to fill that hole in our hearts, is trust in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. That trust, and then the yearning to share that experience...that is what CS Lewis is referring to. That experience will lead us all to another world if we let it. God tells us there will be a new world when He returns.I challenge anyone who reads this - watch the small trailer I pasted below. Although perhaps very few of us want revenge for 'being born' as Holliday suggests about Ringo, what do you let fill the 'great big hole in your heart?'

Ode to Black Friday

Whoop-ty-dooI saved a few.But now my faceIs black and blue.But it was surelyA worthy cause;I didn't hesitate,I did not pause.I braved the hordes,I fought the crowds.Hindered best dealsI could not allow.I got there early,I stayed out late.It was so worthThis China plate :/I helped the market,I helped the storesAnd same time next yearI'll be back for more.So if you're strapped;Running out of cash,Might I suggestYou make your dashTo the nearest Best BuyOr the closest Walmart.Just don't get trampledOr ripped apart.You can save money;You can save face.If you pay full priceWell that's a disgrace.So join me nowOr maybe last night...Black Friday's not just tradition,But it's your right.Now, all you desperate shoppers out there...Get some 

Music Brings Folks Together

This past weekend, I got to see my favorite singer perform on a grand stage...and old Garth Brooks reminded me why I loved his music so much growing up. It was a great show, enjoyed by everyone from my mom and dad in their late 60s, to my youngest brother and his wife who are both 30 and 31 years old. But I noticed younger people up on the big screen as they panned the audience and showed faces on the center LED screen hanging above the stage, and they knew as many of the words as I did. There was a point I overheard my dad say something to my mom about wondering how my youngest brother even knew all the lyrics. I reminded my mom afterwards that my little brothers rode around in my car everywhere for a while when I wasn't away at college, and Garth took up the bulk of time music played through the car stereo during my more formidable years.But just because we seemed to be a Garth Brooks family is not my point in all this. I was inspired to write this piece because of my observation of the common mood of the audience, despite the variety of people I saw there that night. There were people of all social classes there; all ages; and dare I say, all races. One minute I was next to some rich CEO and his babe; the next I was next to BillyJo JimBob and his baby's momma. I know because I spent a good portion of time leaving the venue, shoulder to shoulder with thousands as we made our way out of the arena after the concert. But when Garth was on the stage, every single soul in the place was alive, and well, and happy.Now I know part of this can be attributed to the artist's keen sense of understanding in controlling the mob. Garth knows fans' past reactions to all his greatest songs, and he has absolutely mastered leading into those songs and knowing exactly what kind of reaction the crowd will have. As strange as it sounds, watching Garth Brooks run around stage and pull the puppet strings and manipulate the mob reminded me of Maximus in the movie Gladiator. Biggest difference was that Garth knew for certain his crowd was definitely entertained.But I've been to other concerts, and other venues, in other styles of music. And the one thing I can usually spot in the crowd is a common united happiness. Music has an effect, especially wholesome music, where everyone wants to sing the same tune. Other than a Five Finger Death Punch concert (Yes, I've worked security in one of those) where everyone wants to throw themselves against someone else as hard as they can, positive music with postive messages or stories tend to bring a lot of different people together. In a world where social media divides us, the news fans flames, and politics ruin our thoughts of other humans, music can bring a whole other perspective that puts all those things aside.To borrow from a seemingly new yet cliche trend in country music, whether you are hanging with Friends in Low Places, Two of a Kind Working on a Full House, or simply Standing Outside the Fire...hang on to your music. Embrace the artforms that bring people from all walks of life together, and as we dispute ideas conveyed by our rivals, remember that one day, as long as your heart is in the right place and you know who died for you, We Shall Be Free :) (And he didn't even sing that one!)

Shattering Expectations

Let me start out by saying this is not a Partisan post - but I must admit after the historical event of Election Day, Nov. 8, 2016 - I was truly inspired by a man who absolutely shattered expectations.Regardless of where you stand with Donald J. Trump, it is undeniable that ALL the pundits, the supposed political experts said Donald Trump had no chance at winning the presidency. How could this outsider stand a chance at the game of politics, when all he'd ever done was build a corporation and play with casinos?Well, it is safe to say he shattered their expectations.But it doesn't end there.The experts said, "Ha! Trump will never be able to debate with the other candidates. He doesn't have the temperament to hang with the politicians."Well, not only did he shatter those expectations in a field of several candidates, but the most experienced one in the field.Then when he had the perfect "Now she'll get what she deserves" moment that probably half his supporters wanted, he beat the expectations again; the brash New Yorker didn't brag; he didn't gloat. He gave an acceptance speech that congratulated his opponent for a hard fight, and looked forward to a way to bring the country together.Why do I find this inspirational?I am inspired to shatter some expectations myself - that's why.I have written five novels, and self-published four of them. I have become a training officer in a police department. I have done some things that if you'd known me when I was young,you never would have expected me to end up where I am. That is nowhere near the amazing event from yesterday, but I'm also not finished with trying to get where I want to go.First of all, I remember growing up, having a problem with my temper, getting into fights, or turning a play fight or horseplay into a fight because of my temper. I remember when I first considered going into law enforcement, and I honestly can't recall exactly which friend, but he asked me, "Fort, are you sure about this? You don't think the old temper could be a problem?"I can look back at that now and chuckle a little, considering now I have been in law enforcement for going on six years, and my specialty is teaching others how to verbally de-escalate...use verbal judo if you will - to diffuse a potentially violent situation. So you could say I shattered some expectations there - even for myself.Now let's go back to writing. When I was a kid, my parents could tell you, I hated to read. I especially hated to read what I was told to read. And I really hated writing, especially those assignments I was forced to write. Not in a million years, if you'd told me when I was a little kid, would I have believed you if you said I would grow up to write novels. Once again, shattering some expected things, totally defying what I expected so long ago.Now let's look at self-publishing. Some family members and friends still think I should've been more patient, maybe try giving traditional publishing a longer go. But good old' stubborn and impatient Jason went on and did his own thing...put a really cool story together, and sent a rough version out there to the rest of the world, not even knowing too much about self-publishing or self-promotion yet. And I am willing to bet, since I haven't seen much money from it yet, Jason and his rash decisions will just amount to a good productive way he can spend his time if nothing else.But I've got news for ya. There have been plenty of people throughout history who were expected to do one thing, whether it was because people had doubt in those people's abilities, or something like that person had never been seen before. Donald Trump is probably the most obvious and recent example of that, and as I said before - I am inspired.So what do I do with this? I tell you what I'm gonna do. I'm going to defy even my own expectations, and I am going to write that best seller. I will keep helping people feel safe along the way...but one day; it may be two years; it may be five years; it may be twenty years. But one of these days, I am going to TRUMP what everyone expected from the little kid who hated to read. That is of course, unless God has other plans :)

Americana - How much longer?

I was sitting down to eat at one of my favorite burger joints in Columbia, SC today after dropping off a patient for transport, and a strange thing happened as I took my first big bite into that juicy double cheese burger. Of all the times in the world, as I looked out the front window and saw the Olive Garden across the street, the Chili's a little further up, and the Rooms to Go down in the plaza next door - a strange vision flashed before my eyes.I know what you're thinking - crazy, right?!Well, it gets crazier.There before me were those trademarked symbols of Americana, in I daresay, the only spot in the world where you could find all three of those locations in close proximity to a Rush's restaurant. And then suddenly, it is like I was looking at the same exact same scene, but some time in the distant future. It was so vivid; so real as I looked around my panoramic view from the front window seat - and yet I shook my head and the picture was gone. But in that fleeting moment, I somehow took in enough detail that I can spout off exactly what filled the scene - and I have no idea why I had such a strange sight!In almost photographic color, but a dusty, almost desert like color, I saw hulks of empty automobiles spread out on Harbison Blvd. I saw a decrepit building across the cracked and broken road; it somewhat resembled an Olive Garden, but looked like it hadn't had anyone inside the place for eons. Over in the plaza, the large parking lot was like the cracked ground of Death Valley on its driest day. The Rooms to Go was collapsed, and tumble weeds rolled across the cracked ground. There was no Chili's, and instead I saw a bare branched tree with a raven sitting on the highest limb. That's when I shook my head, and saw my burger again.So, regardless of what caused the day dream, or vision, or lapse in reality...of course it got me thinking. Now, I am not typing this, nor did I think about this as it relates to current political events, or religion, or anything like that. I just couldn't help but think of how American the specific corner at which I sat felt, and so I started thinking about symbols of Americana all across our great country. I thought about the neat metal bridges over the rivers that flowed through small towns, such as the one in Selma, Alabama. I thought about the cornfields I got to see when I drove on a road trip to Illinois a long time ago. I thought about football games and sold out crowds filling stadiums. I thought about hot dogs, and the cheese burger in front of me. I thought about pizzerias in the streets of New York. I thought about American movies, like Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. I thought about American car companies, and Fords and Chevys, and Dodges, and Harley Davidsons. I thought about fireworks on the fourth of July. I thought about the song Hail to the Chief. I thought about Bon Jovi, and Def Leopard, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Guns and Roses. I thought about Pepsi and Coca-cola. I thought about the NFL, and NBA, and the USA printed on the front and backs of American athletes at every Olympics I ever saw. This was the oddest time to think of all these things..and then I asked myself one simple question -How much longer do we all have to enjoy it all?Now as a Christian, I know there are way more important things at stake, and others things to think about. But for that moment, with this crazy 'dome full of thoughts' as a friend of mine has described, I couldn't help but wonder how much longer until something close to resembling my vision would be a reality. It shouldn't matter to me as it relates to eternity. But there it was; a question that I pose to all of you out there in blog reading land.So what's your guess? How much longer will the great experiment known as the United States last?Please leave a comment or two. Not trying to be political or inflammatory at all here - just something that entered my thoughts today.

Putting on the Mantle

http://wspa.com/2016/10/04/superheroe... Video of speech from BatmanBatman showed up today...to help fight evil as usual.It has been awesome today, as I took the day off to go for a physical at the doctor, at an awkwardly timed appointment - and everywhere I went, people were wearing superhero t-shirts. Pictures have popped up all day; all week even, to commemorate the loss of a little 6 year old boy. That six year old boy was taken from us, the community, by the forces of evil. But it has been amazing that instead of so many people lashing out in anger and hatred towards the person who was an instrument of that evil - the community has united. They've all united to remember. They've united in hope.In the video of Batman speaking at the memorial service, he said it all. God used Jacob's death to show the world how to do it right.So people assumed their mantles. They wore their shiny blue or black and yellow colors. They wore the webbed red with blue accents, or muscle-bound green colors. And they wore those mantles; those costumes who represented their heroes - out of love.This nation's mainstream media likes to politicize events like this and portray the south as just some gun toting, racist region of the country. Well, Jacob and his family have helped prove otherwise today. Batman proved otherwise today. PEOPLE proved otherwise today by embracing a child lost, yet hoping his life and his belief in Jesus, the greatest hero of them all, would spread a little love around.God bless the Hall family, and their positive handling of such a tragedy. God bless the community of Townville, SC - and may this tragedy prove to the rest of the nation how #Townvillestrong you are!God bless Heroes for Higher for giving the time and efforts to bring some solidarity and even some excitement to the community to unite after tragic events. Thank you, Batman, or whoever you are under that mask, for assuming the mantle, and using it to promote love for a little hero lost.What if we all do something I think little Jacob would have wanted. What if we all assume a mantle; the mantle of Jesus Christ - through our actions...through our spirit...through our faces...through our hearts - and we wear that mantle everywhere we go to the end of our days. If the whole southeast and even abroad can wear costumes and superhero t-shirts for Jacob, what can we do for Jesus? I think Jacob, just a 6 year old boy, knew that answer.

My Thoughts, Looking Back 40 Years

Forty years? Has it really been that long? It doesn't seem like it to me - until I take time to look back and consider everything I have experienced. Why am I writing about it? Well, as a writer, I think I am obligated to write about such a milestone. And although I've not suffered from extraordinary circumstances or experienced any worldly events first hand, I've been blessed with encounters with so many wonderful people, and I've had the chance to be part of things that I think have made a positive impact in other people's lives. A simple man like me can't ask for much more than that. So for those folks out there around the world, just outside my community and in countries outside the US that take the time to read my blog sometimes - and for those of you who already know me...I thought I would share with you my reflections of my life after forty years.Anyone who knew me as a young child - folks that remember back that far :) - could tell you that I was a shy little boy. Although I loved meeting people, I still didn't know what to say to someone when I met them for the first time, so I would just smile and react to whatever they did first. My, how the times have changed me; little did that little fella know he would one day be pretty outgoing and be willing to tell the world and everyone he encountered what he was thinking; even get up in front of people and teach them things! But I remember being the shy boy in Mrs. Osteen's class, and the only thing people really started to notice about me way back then was that I could draw pictures pretty well. That became my trademark through school; elementary all the way through high school. Some people that know me now would be surprised to know that. But I even have certain drawing phases I went through, and I remember them well. In elementary school I mainly drew animals, He-man figures, and transformers. In middle school, I started to try my hand in drawing more detailed transformers, as well as muscular action heroes. I specifically remember drawing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the backs of all my friends' yearbooks. And finally, once I got to high school, I began to focus on my drawing talent, drew self portraits, and drew pictures of my favorite athletes (mostly the great Michael Jordan), and sharpened my skills at drawing animals, other people I knew, and scenery. I even attended the Fine Arts Center of Greenville County for my artwork. I have fond memories of that senior year, despite my attendance there changing the entire dynamic of my high school days in twelfth grade.Somewhere amid all the school days was my Greenville ARP Church youth group. Although I discovered a lot of my abilities in school, my church youth group is what helped mold me socially. Going to church on Wednesday nights kept me grounded. If it weren't for the youth group, I don't think I ever would have learned how to properly manage and control the old Fort Temper. I learned things that I took to heart from a very early age, and thankfully, the good Lord had a plan that somehow kept me from ever falling into the wrong crowd; ever caring too much about what other people thought just because I didn't want to try some of the things they were trying. At school, I even felt judged sometimes because I didn't want to be part of that crowd. I tried to fit in at a bare minimum, but the party scene that all the movies about high school showed never, EVER appealed to me. And that stuck with me through my college days as well. But the best friends a guy could ask for early in life grew up in the youth group with me. And of course my life wouldn't be the same without Big G and Cool C: you guys know who you are.Then there were the Erskine days. Erskine College...a tiny private college in the middle of nowhere, in the small little town of Due West, SC. 'Due West of what?' they'd say. Never quite figured that out, but on the SC map, it is pretty due west of Columbia, SC I guess.Anyway, the people I met at good ol' EC helped bring this simple artist out of his shell. I discovered in college, at least according to some, that I could sing. So I joined the Erskine Choraleers, where I met some of the kindest and most talented people I will ever know. I met one of my favorite instructors ever - Dr. Porter Stokes, who taught me more about myself than he would probably realize. I met girls I had crushes on; I was a sucker for pretty eyes and an angelic voice. In my four years with the Choraleers I was able to travel throughout different parts of the South, and got to experience singing in some of the largest cathedrals in Europe. I even had the opportunity to serenade girls and make a fool of myself...but I don't regret a single note. I'd do it again if I had the chance.While at Erskine I also made friends with a host of brothers from a society on campus called the Euphemian Literary Society, and some of those guys made lasting impressions on me that I enjoy reflecting on to this day. Some of the funniest times I ever had were as a 'Euphie.' I got to be the society's Recording Secretary and Sergeant at Arms; even got to draw my fair share of T-shirt designs for our dance events and formals. But the camaraderie and brotherhood - that was something I will remember to the day I die.Those are the days that seemed to go by at a slow pace. I can look back at those times growing up and relish the things I learned and the things that I got to enjoy. But where has the time gone since? My adult life has seemed like a whirlwind. As I tell participants in my classes when I train, I've been everything from an elementary PE teacher, to a personal trainer and Wellness Director, to a police officer - and somewhere along the way I was also a bouncer! And I think it is safe to say that I've experienced just as many influential events in adulthood that I did the first 18 to 22 years of my life. But I see what my grandmothers meant when they always told me when I was a boy: "Enjoy it while you can, Jason, because when you grow up, time sure will fly!" my Nannie and Granny would say one way or another.I've been blessed to experience what it's like to teach young children some of their first exercises and sports, and see the results later in life. I've been blessed with the opportunity to send a couple of people who were morbidly obese in a better direction, and witness physical change for the better. I've been blessed to encounter people who were perhaps not in the best states of mind, at just the right place, at just the right time, to perhaps keep them from making a mistake they'd permanently regret. And I've been blessed to keep people safe from harm, arrest dangerous people and put them where they belong, and make people feel safer about where they work. And I got to experience all that, AND meet the girl of my dreams and have the son I always wanted on top of all that!So to sum it all up, if you took the time to read this, you can see I've had a pretty good life. If I complain, it's usually about the world and all its faults...but it is rarely about my life. I consider myself very fortunate to make it to where I am, and I couldn't have made it this far without the loving support of my family, my friends, and of course the divine providence of God. But after taking the time to write this, and seeing how short the last paragraph was compared to all the stuff before - I can't help but think that God has a lot more in the works for this simple man. If you've had a part in sharing this life with me, and taken the time to get to know me, whether personally or just reading my books or blog - thank you. It's been a good 40 years; here's to hoping I have at least 40 more! Cheers!