Making my way into Science Fiction

Sometimes I like to have fun with writing. It's just enjoyable, that's all, and provides a nice escape and a little side money. I'm not a prize-winning author, but, like many of my kind, I have a lot of fun. Yesterday I reported via Facebook that I was being published in the Evangelical Missions Quarterly in January of 2014. That is a serious credit and I'm both grateful and excited for the opportunity.

Science Fiction, on the other hand, is not very serious, but it does provide a fascinating world of possibilities. One gets to design, very literally, the universe when writing science fiction. I think it allows me to display the creative side of me that my Father gave me when he created a universe, and that is a fact I take seriously.

In the next few months, my next novel will be released. The original publisher has decided to close his doors, thus returning my contracted project back to me. I say that so that when I tell you I've decided to self-publish, you won't think ill of me. The book had been accepted for publication. Without a publisher, however, I am choosing to release the book myself.

Trident Defense, Book 1, is the story of defending the Earth from an alien invasion. It is a return to a sort of classical science fiction theme and represents my first real forray into sci-fi. I've written stories before, even some that have been published in small circulars. Trident Defense, Book 1, however is the first real attempt at commercial writing of this type.

I will keep you informed periodically about TDB1 and let you know when you can get it and where. In the meantime, take a look at my writing website and see what's going on!

Potential Pope Candidates and My Opinion

Despite being an avid and passionate protestant, I am absolutely fascinated by the office of the Pope. Why? I'm not completely sure, although I'm sure part of it is the role he plays over the church. Some of that is my carnal desire for power I'm sure as well. I'm also interested in it because it has no equal in scripture outside of the High Priest, and even then I think the Pope wields influence that the High Priest could have only dreamed of (and I'm sure they did!).

Whether I should be this interested in the office of the Pope or not, I am flat out ecstatic about the conclave to elect the new Pope. I was just as intrigued by Pope Benedict XVI’s election. Learning about who will replace him is fascinating. I just realized I should write an article on how I feel about him leaving office before his death. Guess it's moot now.

Apparently, at least in America, there is some speculation that the next Pope will be from the USA. That would be extremely interesting, but I think there has been too much controversy for that. In fact, I'll just say it would be the wrong thing to do.

I'll come right out and say it: The next Pope should come from South America or Africa. It's time for a fresh voice, and America is no less mired in backwards problems than the church of Europe.

According to one source, there is a viable candidate in Latin America. Archbishop Odilo Scherer of Brazil, leader of the world's largest diocese, would be a good candidate and apparently is fairly popular.

There is also an outside candidate from the Philippines named Luis Tagle, which would be intriguing because Asia and the Pacific have been likewise shunned by the European bloc. Africa also has an option by the name of Peter Turkson from Ghana.

Look, I don't mean to offend any of my Catholic friends. The bottom line though is that the western church needs to step aside for a while and bring in some actual fresh blood. It is the right thing to do. Let's hope it happens. Of course I understand that the Archbishops have requested prayer that the Holy Spirit would be a part of the voting. I couldn't agree more. The fact is that I hope the Holy Spirit does choose the next Pope. But from a pragmatic setting, the next Pope should probably be from outside of Europe.

Army of One

Army of One

I look around me as a sailor in the Navy and I realize one stark reality...there aren't enough of us. In fact, I've felt so incredibly lonely at times. I have spent entire years in my Naval service begging God for a single friend; a companion...someone to help me in the work. Very seldom was that prayer answered the way I would like it to have been answered.

And recently, God felt it was right to take a good friend of mine away. He and I weren't in communication as often anymore as he was a missionary in Africa, but he was still my friend. Sometimes I don't understand the plan. Scratch that. I hardly ever understand the plan.

This loneliness isn't always just a pity party. Sometimes, like right now, it represents a real problem. In the Gospels, Jesus tells us to pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send more laborers into the harvest. Here's the problem: I've prayed for them...they haven't been coming. Worst, the revival I thought might be on its way seems to be snuffed out. Student ministries are down on base, our staff Bible study has waned, and some of the best powerhouses in the ministry have left the Navy as their tours ended.

We need more believers. I don't want to be an army of one. I want to be one of many. If you aren't praying, please do.