Heaven or Hell (Unrepentant) Volume II

 

By Sheila L Jackson

 

 

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise, Luke 23:39-43, KJV.

Imagine finding yourself in a life-or-death situation and you are next to the person who could save your life? However, due to your prejudices or religious differences, you would rather die than to accept help. Now let us go back to when the two thieves found themselves, some would say, in the worst predicament that a person could be in. But was it? For one, yes.

When reading this passage in churches, we, in our own self-righteousness, often scoff at or call the unrepentant thief a fool for his remarks. We, in our sanctified voices with our chest stuck out, would have the audacity to say, "If that was me, I would have known that it was Jesus and would have asked for mercy." Would we really have known that he was the Savior? How could we know if we are full of the world and spiritually blind? 

Both Thieves Mocked

Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”  In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him, Matthew 27:38-44, NIV.

 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him, Mark 15:27-32, KJV.

The criminals must have heard something about Jesus and him performing miracles throughout the region. While nailed to the cross they had no excuse of not knowing who he was. He preached for three and a half years, unfortunately, like us, chose to ignore the word. The chief priest, teachers of the law, and elders were all there mocking Jesus as he was dying on the cross, which gave the thieves a brief time to turn and change their hearts and minds. Instead, they both mimicked the behavior of the religious leaders (church folks) and spoke insulting words at Jesus.

A Change of Heart

In the meantime, something happened amid their taunting. One of the thieves developed a conscience and realized that Jesus was innocent of his crimes. This tells us that the thieves had heard of Jesus. How did he know that Jesus was innocent? He rebuked him, saying, "Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss," Luke 23:40-41, KJV. Praise God for the repentant thief change of heart because it was a matter of spiritual life or death. One thief changed/turned from his wicked ways while the other perished in his.

What about us? Are we any different from the unrepentant thief? We say that we believe in Jesus and have seen him work miracles in our own lives. Yet, when we are around unbelievers, our behavior speaks differently than our mouth. We mock Jesus when we say, we are Christian but our actions mimic that of the devil. We cheat, lie, steal, bear false witness against coworkers to move up the corporate ladder, and turn around and call the promotion a blessing from the Lord. When we are committing acts of sin, no matter what it is, that small, still voice that we hear urges us to come out of our sins. He gives us warnings before it leads to eternal damnation. Call on Jesus before it is too late.

Call On Jesus

We all have our own versions of, " if that was me hanging next to Jesus', sermons." Would we have been like the repentant thief, asking Jesus to remember us? If we are unable to recognize him now with the old and new testaments that speak about the coming Savior. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,” Galatian 6:7, KJV. When we find ourselves in situations that we brought upon ourselves, we have the audacity to tell God; “I will believe in you, if you deliver me from my troubles. However, like the unrepentant thief, God knows our hearts and knows that it is far from him. When the repentant thief called on Jesus, he heard his heart and stepped into action while dying on the cross to not just save him but to give him a promise as well. Psalms 145:18, KJV, says, “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."  The repentant thief acknowledged that he deserved his punishment.

Right Place. Right Time

 He was in the right place at the right time. You ask, how I can say this? The thief could have lost his life while committing a crime, leaving him to die in his sins and his soul lost forever. Whereas, on the last day of his life, he hung near a man that changed the course of his eternal destination. Moments earlier he was on his way to hell and in the next, he put his faith and trust in what he had heard (faith comes by hearing) about Jesus, when he asked, "Remember me when thou, comest into thy kingdom. “Jesus accepted him just as he was. He did not mention his past mistakes or what he had done to get himself in that situation. He already knew why he was there. The only words Jesus uttered to the thief was, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." How amazing is that? This thief was given the opportunity to live a life beyond what he had known on earth. I can only imagine his reaction when he entered heaven with Jesus. A man who once was a criminal, now living in a mansion on the other side of time, while the other criminal opened his eyes in hell.

Missed Opportunity

The unrepentant thief continued his mocking, knowing that he was about to die. He had the same opportunity as the other but wasted it for one last laugh. Let us not find ourselves in this predicament, where we miss the opportunity of salvation. Romans 10:8, KJV, says, "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach." Who is the word? Jesus. He is as near to us today, just as he was with the thieves on the cross. Will you recognize him or be like the unrepentant thief, saying, "If thou be the Christ," not realizing the collision course his eternal soul was on that day. One criminal went to paradise while the other perished. All joking aside, which will it be, heaven or hell?

 

Heaven or Hell (Final Destination) Volume 1

   By Sheila L Jackson

 

 

The Matrix, one of my favorite science fiction trilogies, where Morpheus opens his hands for Neo to choose between the red or blue pill matrix. For those who have watched it, know that the blue pill will keep Neo oblivious to the truth and returns to a life that is not real.  The red pill reveals to him the darkness of the real world as he learns the truth about the Matrix. One pill represents truth while the other means living a life of comfort and a lie. One writer coined, "The blue pill as blissful ignorance. Where you choose to sleep and never know your life is an illusion. The red pill signifies the painful truth. You choose to wake up and see life for what it really is, full of destruction and darkness."

Likewise, Jesus is giving us a choice to choose between heaven or hell (eternal life or eternal death). God gave the world His only begotten son as a sacrificial lamb, so we could have that choice.

  Deuteronomy 30:19, ESV, says, " I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse, therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live." Ask yourself this question, would Satan give you the correct answer? No. He wants you and future generations to follow him into the lake of fire, mentioned in Revelation 20:1-15, which foretells the judgement of Satan and the judgement of the dead who rejected God’s son.

Before Jesus gave his life for sinners, we were lost in our sins with the law magnifying and exposing our imperfections. Thank God for sending His son to fulfill the law, because of his blood covering our sins, we have new mercies every day. If I mess up today, I can ask for forgiveness and not be penalized to death as those who were under the law.  The law was a death sentence.

We are faced with this question each day, heaven or hell? And many don't even realize it because they choose to stay spiritually blind, enjoying the falsity of this world. Sadly, they choose hell, believing that they have time and will accept Jesus in their old age. But little do they know that tomorrow, the next second, minute, hour, day, week, month, or year is not promised to any of us. All we have is right now. We only get one life and once we leave this earth, we are going to one of these two places, heaven or hell. No second chances, but on this side of life, we get to choose our eternal destination. God doesn't force us against our will to accept His son. No one will be able to stand before God and say, He was unfair or showed favoritism. He continues to send preachers, missionaries, teachers, coworkers, family and friends to spread the gospel to the lost. Many refuse to believe, stating that men wrote the bible for control. Others deny Christ because it gives a sense of false hope in someone they cannot see. 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

In John 14:6 NIV, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." For those who do not believe or accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, cannot bypass Him to get to God. Jesus is the middle man. You cannot accept one without the other. God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one.

Luke 16:19-31, KJV, says, “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then

he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

The Rich man learned a little too late when it came to eternal consequences of earthly choices. Our riches cannot get us into heaven. The bible says the rich man lived, feasted with great extravagance, while the poor man laid at his gate/doorstep begging for the bare necessity to satisfy his hunger. Let's stop here for a moment, being poor doesn't solidify you a spot in heaven. All must confess and believe that Jesus is Lord. Now, the rich man finds himself in want as Lazarus lie in comfort with all his needs met in Abraham bosom. The rich man chose his destination, Hell. Once we die, we cannot come back from the dead and warn those who are alive that heaven and hell are real. Everyone left on earth will have the opportunity to hear, read, accept or reject the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus rose from the dead, yet many do not believe in Him. We all choose our fate. There is no getting out of hell once you are there. Don’t allow the movies to fool you concerning hell. You will not be hanging out or partying with those who have gone on before you. You will be in want and tormented forever just as the rich man in this parable.

When we surrender our will for God’s will, our spiritual eyes are opened to Satan’s tricks and lies. When they are closed and blinded by the pleasures of the world, many will travel down the wrong path and die in their sins. When they reach their final destination, it will be too late. Like Morpheus gave Neo the choice in the Matrix between the red or blue pill? Jesus Christ is allowing us to choose Heaven or Hell, our final destinations. No return.

https://sheilaljackson2.com/

 

Where Was God 2, Evil Never Sleeps

 

TALEFLICK MOVIE CONTEST| VOTE “CHASING A DREAM” !

Shreveport Writers Club

SWLA Book Festival 2/16/19

Chasing A Dream

A family…a career…a dream…can a woman really have it all?

Florence Kinkaid is content as a small town clothing designer and seamstress. Married to her high school sweetheart and the mother of two sets of twins, she’s certain her life is complete. But deep in her heart a forgotten dream waits. A dream she tries to ignore. 
When a noted fashion mogul undertakes a nationwide contest to discover America’s next fashion designer, Flo wonders…what if? 

Flo secretly enters the contest and is thrilled when she is named one of the top five finalists. When she tells her husband William, she’s shocked to find opposition in her own home. William wants things to stay as they are and does his best to discourage her from leaving. He calls her opportunity a pipe dream. Hurt, but determined to get a second chance at her dream, Flo decides to prove her husband wrong and follow her heart. 

But in doing so, will it cost her more than she’s willing to pay? 

About The Author:
Contemporary Christian Romance and Suspense writer, Sheila L. Jackson grew up reading different genres and styles of writing. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine one day of becoming a writer herself. Years later, she decided it was time to take a leap of faith and put her pen into action. Her passion is to write fictional stories that tackle real life issues.

When Sheila is not writing, you can find her at the movies. She is a huge fan of the Marvel/DC

Cinematic Universe and action/thriller/suspense movies.

Sheila has penned many articles, such as: Only the Strong Survive, Count it all Joy, Suffering in Silence, and The World of Sports-When the Glitz and Glamour Ends, which all appeared in Dream Magazine. Sheila also wrote: Voting Booths -Speak now or forever hold your peace (during the 2008 presidential election) for the Shreveport Times

Mrs. Jackson has appeared on KTBS-TV, Comcast Cable Station, and KOKA with Barbara Norton (State Representative) & Curtis Wright, 1340 Super-Talk, KMJJ, and From Bondage to Freedom radio/studio broadcasts. Along with her media and radio appearances/interviews, she has also appeared in The Forum, SB Magazine, Dream Magazine, Urban Faith Magazine and The Shreveport Times.

Connect with Sheila L. Jackson on her website at: http://www.sheilaljackson2.com

https://www.facebook.com/sheilalj
https://twitter.com/sheilaljackson

https://www.instagram.com/sheilaljackson/
     Email: SJ@comcast.net

                                                        Author encourage readers to please leave a review.

Joi and Payne Book Trailer

Written Voices Blog                    Literature that Edifies the Soul, Uplifts A Culture Sheila, tell us about yourself. I am a mother of two girls and a wife for over 25 years. I work as a Clinical Laboratory scientist, which I find very rewarding. I have been writing for over 10 years and I have loved every moment of it. How do you find time to connect with God? Each morning I find a quiet place to read God's word. I never start my day without talking or praying for guidance and strength. Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books? Reshonda tate billingsley, Shelia Goss, J.K. Rowling, Joyce Myers, Joel Osteen, Victoria Christopher Murray, Nora Roberts, Terry McMillan, and Rosalyn McMillan. Believe it or not, The Tales of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Tell us about your journey to publication. I never set out to become a writer. I loved reading other authors stories. The writing bug did not hit me until later in life. I was always the type of person that loved making homemade cards and penning encouraging words to lift others spirit. God spoke to me to write my first book, which I thought once I finished, that would be it. I never thought that it would lead to four more books along with others to come. Tell us about your current book, Where Was God Series (Book 2)? Fayth Angelica McCoy is working against time to prove a young teen innocent of murdering a Port City police officer in cold blood. Ever since Sargent Larry Patel landed in their quiet city, racial profiling and intimidation of African American males on the Southside of town are on the rise. The people stand united in wanting this cancer removed from their city, but no one is willing to speak up against the injustice until a young boy finds himself in the strongholds of the justice system. In her pursuit to expose Sargent Patel’s dirty dealings, Angelica risks her and her families’ safety. Now with two kids to protect, she has to make the decision to chance it all for the sake of ridding her city of the toxic pollution of crime within the Port City PD. Or turn a blinds eye as a young teen faces life in prison or death if he reveals the true killer’s identity. Jasion is not happy with the high profile investigation his wife, Fayth is working on. With the near burning of his youth center and their home broken into, he’s concerned that she is ruffling the feathers of some powerful and dangerous men. With vengeance in her heart and a score to settle, Nicole Swaggart leaves the mental institution in New Orleans, Louisiana after serving only five years. Her sights are now set on Port City, Louisiana, where the man who broke her heart lives with his wife and kids, which should have been hers. While institutionalized, an unknown visitor with the same agenda of taking down the McCoy’s, gains Nicole’s trust. They put their plan into action to destroy the people who ruined their lives, using their children as collateral damage. With opposition from Sargent Patel and Nicole Swaggart, will Jasion and Angelica survive the evils that are set in motion against them? How did you come up with ideas for this book? The stories on television of cop killings, racial profiling and the unspoken words of mental illness set the tone for my latest book. What valuable lessons do you want readers to learn from your book? No matter what mental illnesses or the color of your skin, God's is always there looking after what belongs to Him. What's next for you? I plan to start working on my next novel, along with getting out and meeting the readers through book signings and speaking events. Please tell us where we can connect with you online. https://twitter.com/sheilaljackson https://www.facebook.com/sheilalj https://www.youtube.com/user/5085sheila

Coming Soon, Where Was God book 2, (Evil Never Sleeps)

Fayth Angelica McCoy is working against time to prove a young teen innocent of murdering a Port City police officer in cold blood. Ever since Sargent Larry Patel landed in their quiet city, racial profiling and intimidation of African American males on the Southside of town are on the rise. The people stand united in wanting this cancer removed from their city, but no one is willing to speak up against the injustice until a young boy finds himself in the strongholds of the justice system. In her pursuit to expose Sargent Patel’s dirty dealings, Angelica risks her and her families’ safety. Now with two kids to protect, she has to make the decision to chance it all for the sake of ridding her city of the toxic pollution of crime within the Port City PD. Or turn a blinds eye as a young teen faces life in prison or death if he reveals the true killer’s identity.

Jasion is not happy with the high profile investigation his wife, Fayth is working on. With the near burning of his youth center and their home broken into, he’s concerned that she is ruffling the feather of some powerful and dangerous men.  

With vengeance in her heart and a score to settle, Nicole Swaggart leaves the mental institution in New Orleans, Louisiana after serving only five years. Her sights are now set on Port City, Louisiana, where the man who broke her heart lives with his wife and kids, which should have been hers. While institutionalized, an unknown visitor with the same agenda of taking down the McCoy’s, gains Nicole’s trust. They put their plan into action to destroy the people who ruined their lives, using their children as collateral damage.

With opposition from Sargent Patel and Nicole Swaggart, will Jasion and Angelica survive the evils that are set in motion against them?

Chapter One

Nicole Swaggart sat straight-faced in the recreational room at Whispering Pines Mental Institution. With her back turned away from the other residents, she flipped through the pages of a Louisiana, Christian Magazine. A picture and article about the McCoy’s slapped her in the face. Her hands began to tremble, and eyes twitched, as she read about the couple who were responsible for her arrest. Revenge started building in her heart against them.

The judge sentenced her to five years in prison, but after several doctors testified that she was mentally insane, she was ordered to be placed in a mental institution where she could receive help and serve out the remainder of her time. Because of her last daring escape where she took down two armed guards at Forest Oak Mental facility, the judged ordered her to be transferred to Whispering Pines, a maximum security mental institution in her hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana.

A photograph of the happy couple that ruined her life, posing with their two kids, made her want to puke. Visions of her standing next to Jasion, holding their three-year-old daughter, while their five-year-old son stood in front of them made her envy Angelica. “This is supposed to be my life. My family,” she whispered in anger. Jealousy, hate, and rage filled her heart like a flood. Ripping the page out the magazine, Nicole balled the article up and tossed it on the floor in front of her.

With eyes as dark as night, she stared out of the window, replaying the events that led her to be locked up for five years. A place, she thought, was filled with weirdo's. In her mind, she believed that she was above such a place. Retaliation surged through her veins as she vowed to get even. “Jasion and Fayth Angelica or whoever she wants to be called. Will regret the day they ever laid eyes on me.” Clothed in white pajamas, she wrapped her arms around herself, rocking back and forth.

“My serving five years in this dump will be up in a month. I have to come up with a plan and fast to get my family back from that man stealer. Jasion will see that he made a mistake in marrying her.”

Nicole broke from her trance, stood from her seat, and retrieved the article that she had balled up earlier. She headed to her room, ignoring the delusional conversations from some of the overly medicated residents. Slamming the door behind her, she threw her body on the bed. After a moment of wallowing in self-pity, she pressed out the articled balled up in her hand. Since the facility did not allow them to have sharp objects in the room, Nicole took her hand and methodically tore Angelica’s head out of the family photo and placed the remaining article of Jasion and their kids in her pocket.  

 “You won the first round, Angelica. But Jasion is mine, now and forever.” She sat on the edge of the bed, combing her long, straight black mane with her fingers. Fantasying about getting Angelica out of the way so that she, Jasion, and the kids could be a family was going to take some doing. “What man can resist me?” She made seductive faces in the dresser mirror in front of her. “We could have had it all if that reporter had stayed out of the way. No worries though, I got something for her. Any woman who steals my man will live to regret it. And Angelica, in just a few days, you will be sorry that you ever came between the man I love and me.”

A knock at the door startled Nicole. She rushed to remove the pieces of the torn article from her bed and hid them in a drawer. If the charged nurse noticed any strange behavior in her, the court might revoke her release date. So, for now, Nicole had to act as sane as possible. She had been a model patient, except for one incident, which she had been provoked. An inmate began bullying her, which she tried to walk away until she was jumped from behind and had to defend herself. Once the other residents witnessed her taking down the oversized woman, they understood to stay out of her way.

She cleared her throat, “Come in,” she sang with sweetness in her voice.

“Good morning Miss. Swaggart. Don’t you look amazing,” Dr. Palmer pronounced, as she entered the room. “You are a perfect example for the other female inmates here at Whispering Pines.”

“Good morning and thank you, Dr. Palmer, for your kind words.” Nicole would say anything as long as it helped her to get out of this nut house. If she stayed there a moment longer, she just might start acting out like the others.

“It’s true. You have been a model patient. The incident that you were in when you first arrived five years ago wasn’t your fault. And the courts removed it from your record, stating that it was self-defense.”

Nicole smiled, trying to say as little as possible.

Dr. Palmer took a seat in the chair beside Nicole’s bed. “Please. Sit.”  Her hand motioned toward the bed. “And let’s discuss your release date and who will be picking you up.”

The good news of getting out of that place was like music to Nicole’s ears. She dropped her butt so fast on that bed as if it had been packed with bricks. The thought of getting closer to freedom and sweet, glorious revenge made her insides leaped with joy.

“Nicole, the judge and I are happy with the progress you have made here. We feel confident releasing you back into society.” Dr. Palmer patted Nicole on the knee like she was some prized project.

“I realized that I had some unresolved issues with anger that I had never dealt with. And Whispering Pines staff has taught me how to keep my emotions intact without hurting myself or others.” Nicole would say the sky was green if that was what they wanted to hear.

 “That’s good to hear, dear.” Dr. Palmer gave her a satisfied smile. “Sister Calhoun told me that you have been attending Bible study and church every week since you’ve been here.”

“Oh yes. I don’t think I could have made it without the Lord.” Nicole knew the drill. Get jailhouse religion and find favor with the judge and the facility staff. Her dating Jasion taught her how church folks act. Quote a few scriptures and people would consider you a Bible scholar.

“The staff and I are so proud of you. We just hope many of the other women will follow in your footsteps.” Dr. Palmer’s chest stuck out like a proud mother.

“Thank you,” she tried hard sounding sincere.

 If only they knew what I am really thinking and plotting.

 “Nicole. Who will be picking you up on Friday?”

“My mother.”

Dr. Palmer scribbled on Nicole’s release papers, “Great. I know she is proud of the progress you have made.”

Nicole knew her mother could care less about her well-being. She just needed this one last favor from her mother to continue her charade until she is off Whispering Pines property. Then, they all can eat her dust as she traveled back to Port City, Louisiana, like a ball of lightning to rain fire down on Jasion and Angelica’s lives.

 

2017 FESTIVAL OF BOOKS AND BUSINESS EXTRAVAGANZA/with Author Sheila L. Jackson

 

 

Nominee 2017 TOP Female Authors

Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award 2017

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Sheila L. Jackson books, Where Was God (Romance Category) and The Enemy Within (Nonfiction Category) are chosen to be a part of the Christian Small Publisher Book of the year. Please help and show your support in casting your votes.

         Just follow the link below and vote

Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award 2017

 

 Thank you for your support and purchasing my books over the years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anti-Bullying Laws: It Is Enough To Protect Our Children

 

By: Sheila L. Jackson

   www.sheilaljackson2.com

Remember the days when all the teacher or school bus driver had to say, when they caught us or was told that we were bullying or teasing a fellow student, “Shake hands and make-up and let by gones be by gones.” And there was peace once again on our school playgrounds and buses. Well,

those days are a thing of the past. The shaking hands and the by gones being by gones has been exchanged with guns being brought on our school campuses and buses to settle disputes. Why? Our children feel that they must protect themselves from school bullies.

According to 20/20 and ABC News, “Over 160,000 children stay home from school out of fear of being bullied. One parent from Florida felt the need to protect his handicap daughter from bullies when he entered a school bus to confront her attackers. One might ask where the bus driver was. Why didn’t he put an end to the constant spitting and teasing of the young child?

There are many states that are enforcing “The Anti-Bulling Laws,” and schools have “No Bullying School Zone,” signs on the school property, but is it working? For those kids that are forced to go to school each day to be tormented without the school officials stepping in to stop what message are we sending our children? Parents around the United States have complained to teachers’ and principles’ concerning their children being attacked by bullies. But it fell on death ears, and as a result, those students’ commented suicide, because they couldn’t cope with the stress and rejection from their peers.

Bullying doesn’t stop at our schools. Because of technology, it continues around the clock, through cyber bullying (internet), texting (cell phones), and many times the bully will follow the child home. How do we expect our kids to cope and concentrate on their education when they are in constant fear for their lives? New Jersey Legislative says, “Bullying, like other disruptive or violent behaviors… disrupts both a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its students in a safe environment.” Louisiana Directives says, “Each city, parish, or other local public school board shall adopt and incorporate into the student code conduct… a policy prohibiting the harassment, intimidation, and bullying of a student by another student.” 

If there are policies and codes put into place against bullying, why are they not enforced as soon as an incident occurs? Children are being beaten and their classmates are standing by to videotape the crime, instead of running to get help. No one at the schools seems to know what’s going on until it’s too late. Are they afraid themselves? It’s sad when we live in a society where we believe that it’s easier to look the other way when it doesn’t involve us. Because many school officials’ and students’ have looked the other way: 17-year-old Tyler Long and 11-year-old Paul Hoover hanged themselves. Meagan Meier-13 and Cassidy Andel-16 all died because authorities acted too late.

 

The constant tormenting from bullying has caused many of our children to suffer with depression and low self-esteem. When they do not measure up to the other kids standards of what is popular and acceptable, their peers tease and taunt them as if something is mentally or physically wrong with them. This is one of the reasons why we may have school shootings and kids committing crimes at an alarming rate in our schools and neighborhoods.

It seems as though no one is paying attention to the problem until it’s too late. After these kids take the schools under siege, everyone wants to know what went wrong. The problem is that we did not pay attention to the warning signs. We saw the behavioral changes in our children but never stopped to investigate until it was too late. We never asked why they were afraid to go to school. We did not know that they were being bullied until that fateful day the child decided to take a gun to school for protection.

Fear is dangerous when help is not sought for problems. If a person is made to feel inferior and is picked on incessantly, fear will cause that person to do unthinkable things that he or she has never considered before. Our children are not mature enough to handle tough situations as these. That’s why they are making deadly choices. Being laughed at and stepped on are not only destructive to our children, but also to others that cross their paths. Take heed to the warning signings, our kids are dropping them like breadcrumbs. Will we notice them before it’s too late?

           

Evolving as a Writer

By Sheila L Jackson

No writer was born with a magical pad and pen in his or her hand that guaranteed them a bestseller. For most, it has taken years to hone their craft on the road towards becoming an award winning novelist. Evolving as a writer takes dedication, hard work, and an eagerness to learn all there is to know about the art of writing.

Several ways to evolve as a writer:

1.      Conferences

2.      Writers Workshops

3.      Joining a Local/National writers’ group

4.       Reading/Researching: will help determine the type of books you would like to write.

5.       Rejection: it doesn’t mean failure, but a teaching tool to help fine tune your writing skills and get you on the road to professionalism.

Most writers become disappointed and ready to pull the plug from their computers when they are unable to keep up with the times. If pursuing writing as a career─ change is a must─ it’s part of a writer’s growth. To get your created juices flowing again and that burning passion you once had:

1.      Learn what type of books people are reading and writing.

2.      Read! Read! Read! Books in and out of your genre. You’ll be amazed at how they spark new ideas and creativity within your own writing.

We all have been there, starting off strong only to run out of gas before completing our manuscripts, due to negative feedback. Don’t despair! Regroup and start over.

Don’t fret, if the critique group doesn’t fall in love with parts of your story. Be ready to make the necessary changes to get your manuscript polished and ready for submission. 

Change is a dreaded word for most, but if you’re planning to make writing a career choice─ it’s inevitable. Your readers are evolving and so should your writing. Advancing as a novelist is a good thing. Without the bumps and bruises along the way, you will never reach your full potential. Writers are constantly transforming as a caterpillar does when turning into a butterfly. Embrace the metamorphosis process, because in time, your writing will fly off the pages and develop into something beautiful.

Emancipation Proclamation

The final draft of the Emancipation Proclamation was taken to Abraham Lincoln at noon on January 1, 1863. Twice the president picked up his pen to sign it, and twice he laid it down. Turning to Secretary of State William Seward, he said, "I have been shaking hands since 9:00 this morning, and my right arm is almost paralyzed. If my name ever goes into history, it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it. If my hand trembles when I sign the proclamation, all who examine the document hereafter will say, 'He hesitated.'"

 

The president then took up the pen again and slowly but firmly wrote, "Abraham Lincoln." That historic act endeared Lincoln to the world as the Great Emancipator.

 

Today, ask yourself: Who or what is my “Great Emancipator”? Where is my focus? Is it money? Power? Prestige? Entertainment? Work? Or the One whose death and resurrection gave us our freedom and life?  Far too many people are busy and focused on the many aspects of life. It is no wonder that people have difficulty seeing God at work on earth and in the midst of difficult situations when they are focused on so many other things.

 

So where is your heart? What are you focused on? Who is your “Great Emancipator”?