Paul Harvey: True Than and Now

Paul Harvey, April 3, 1965:

"If I were the Devil . . . I mean, if I were the Prince of Darkness, I would of course, want to engulf the whole earth in darkness. I would have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree, so I should set about however necessary to take over the United States. I would begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: “Do as you please.” “Do as you please.” To the young, I would whisper, “The Bible is a myth.” I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what is bad is good, and what is good is “square”. In the ears of the young marrieds, I would whisper that work is debasing, that cocktail parties are good for you. I would caution them not to be extreme in religion, in patriotism, in moral conduct. And the old, I would teach to pray. I would teach them to say after me: “Our Father, which art in Washington” . . .

If I were the devil, I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull an uninteresting. I’d threaten T.V. with dirtier movies and vice versa. And then, if I were the devil, I’d get organized. I’d infiltrate unions and urge more loafing and less work, because idle hands usually work for me. I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. And I’d tranquilize the rest with pills. If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellects but neglect to discipline emotions . . . let those run wild. I would designate an athiest to front for me before the highest courts in the land and I would get preachers to say “she’s right.” With flattery and promises of power, I could get the courts to rule what I construe as against God and in favor of pornography, and thus, I would evict God from the courthouse, and then from the school house, and then from the houses of Congress and then, in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and I would deify science because that way men would become smart enough to create super weapons but not wise enough to control them.

If I were Satan, I’d make the symbol of Easter an egg, and the symbol of Christmas, a bottle. If I were the devil, I would take from those who have and I would give to those who wanted, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And then, my police state would force everybody back to work. Then, I could separate families, putting children in uniform, women in coal mines, and objectors in slave camps. In other words, if I were Satan, I’d just keep on doing what he’s doing.

Paul Harvey, Good Day."

Singing Jesus Loves the Little Children

Do you have any loose wires?

"I'd plug it in and see what happens." Roger

I own a 2000 Ford Mustang GT.  In 2009, I started having some car trouble.  Being ignorant about how to fix cars I asked several professionals what was wrong with my car. Friends, mechanics, wanna-be mechanics, gave me theories about what might be wrong with my car.  Each theory of how to correct my problem would cost me between $150-$2,000.  Someone even told me my motor was blown.

I had a big problem, but didn't want to spend the money nor did I trust anyone enough to even identify and fix the problem.  What was my response to my impaired car?

Ignore it!

At first it was very easy to ignore my car.  She sat outside our home collecting pollen, dust and maybe a little bit of rust.  People would ask about it and I would be excited that I owned a Ford Mustang, but sadly had to tell them it wasn't working right.

As time went on, with some encouragement, my father in law decided to take my car and see if he could get her running.  What a deal!  Out of sight, out of mind.  My car was now 2 hours away, collecting more pollen, dust and probably rust somewhere else.  I didn't have to deal with the problem, it was now someone else's responsibility.  Trying to forget my car and the problem was very easy now.  Only when we went to see my in laws did my problem car haunt me.

It was on one of the trips to my in laws where I started feeling bad about sending my car away; neglecting the very machine that I enjoyed driving.  Kari, the boys and I washed the car off and it was apparent I was ready to bring my car home and deal with the problem.  Yes, the Mustang still had a problem.

I brought the Mustang home and their she sat in the driveway, occasionally limping her around camp to make the boys smile.  One day I noticed a wire hanging from underneath the car; I didn't give it a second thought.  Little did I know, I had identified the problem and than chose to ignore it.  Months went by and I continued to do the same thing, ignore the problem.

One day I decided to deal with the problem, or so I thought.  I had learned that I could buy 4 oxygen sensors for $140.  I was ready to spend $140 on these parts and I believed if I did this, my problem would be fixed.

As I contemplated the purchase, I asked one last person for his thoughts; he said it could be a number of things, but he would take a look.  Roger came over to the house, plugged his code reader into the car and told me, "One oxygen sensor code and 3 misfires on your cylinders."  What does that mean, I really don't know, but I am pretty sure it is not a good thing.  Inadvertently, "there is a hanging wire under my car, what do you think about that," shot out of my mouth.  Roger got on the ground and replied, "I'd plug it in and see what happens."

Three years my Ford Mustang had been ignored, talked about, pushed away, hidden and neglected because it had a problem.  Do you have any loose wires?

With the help from another buddy, Martin, we put the car up on ramps and I plugged the loose wire back in.  We removed it from the ramps and I turned the key, "VROOM VROOM!" My problem had been resolved.  I reset the computer and had Roger double check with his code reader, all the codes were gone.  For three years a loose wire had been neglected!

Do you have any loose wires that need to be dealt with?  I do.  We all have problems.  We are all jacked up. Many of us respond to problems in our own lives as I did to my car: ignore, talk about, push it away, hide it or neglect it. I even asked many people their opinion about my problem, but ultimately ignored it.  It was right in front of me, but it took three years to fix my loose wire.  To what benefit is this to ourselves, nothing.

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-2

God no longer wants you and I to conform to the world.  He doesn't want us to look like that broken car, he wants you and I to embrace his grace and forgiveness offered by the blood of His son Jesus Christ and deal with these problems.  Once we are set right by His blood, allow the sanctification process (God begins to mold and transform you and I into holiness) to begin.  We are His creation, whom He desires for us to be living sacrifices daily; dying to ourselves and living in Him.  These are the things in which are, "holy and acceptable to God."

If we don't deal with our problems, we just have loose wires hanging down.  Nobody wants to have loose wires.  What loose wires do you need to deal with?  Are you ready to deal with them?

Today is a great day to start fixing loose wires.  Talk to God about your loose wires and get yourself back on track.

God Bless.

Let the frog ride the boat

A little tune for the boys in the bath tub tonight. Sung in the key of raspy wanna be blues man:

Let the frog ride the boat,
Let the frog ride the boat,
Let the frog ride the boat,
Down the river.

Oh that frog rode the boat,
Oh that frog rode the boat,
Oh that frog rode the boat,
Down the river.

Is Christ your foundation?

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." Matthew 7:24-27

If He isn't your Rock, you're living each day sinking! Make Him your Rock and cast all worries and fears on Him.

God bless!

Selections from Psalm 103: Bless the Lord, O my soul

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm 103:1-5

"He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103:10-14

Life in the Fast Lane

Somedays I think, "I will blog," but this year seems more busy than most! I received and email from a buddy concerning my blog, "HELLO!" so I guess this post was long overdue. 

I have always enjoyed driving in the fast lane; typically it is fast paced, no stopping and gets you where you need to go.  I believe this is where Kari, the boys and I are right now, the fast lane. Everyday seems to fly by, the boys learn 100 somethings new daily and are growing, you guessed it, like weeds.

2012 has brought us a 2.5 and 1.5 year old. They each present us daily with many, many, many, blessings and many challenges.  For Landon, its obedience.  For Logan, its communication.  Obstacles yes, but nothing that my amazing wife and mommy can't handle.  Landon is running, talking, communicating, likes and dislikes, and looks like a little man.  Logan is thoughtful, analytical, crazy at times, loves to head bonk, and a great eater.  They both play well together, sharing and not sharing toys, wrestle and are sweet to one another.  And the love music.  If they aren't dancing to something mommy is playing they are singing with her.  It is amazing to watch them develop.

Kari continues to excel in her party planning, decorating and throwing skills.  Her most recent party was a gender revel party.  The theme was "What's it going to Bee?" Yellow, white and black decorations all around the room and the cake color inside revealed to all the party goers that the expecting couple was going to have a boy.  I looked at all the pictures and the grandmas reactions captured were priceless.

We continue to serve at Highland Lakes Camp and our blessed by our camp family.  I am now the Coordinator of Guest Services and Production.  What does that mean?  Basically I do all the same things I did before, but now manage my deadlines, which are dictated by the guests and ask for help from others when I need it.  It has been an amazing position and I am loving where God has allowed my family to serve.  In addition to work, I am taking Spanish 3 at Austin Community College.  It is definitely harder than Spanish 2, but will put me one course closer to graduation.

One final thing to share, at the end of 2011 God made the calling on my life more refined; he has told me I will one day be serving in the capacity as pastor.  When and where, we don't know, but while we seek Him and what He has in store for us, we are continuing to learn and grow from Him and those around us.  Its am amazing journey, one that I am so thankful to be on with Kari, Landon and Logan.

I hope that everyone is having an amazing 2012.  I plan to post more, but don't hold me to it!  I do love writing, etc., just need to find the time...which is hard in the fast lane.

God Bless.

Identity Crisis: Who we are in Christ

As I consider the Identity Crisis and all that entails, I am reminded of 1 Peter 2:1-12. This passage of scriptures lays out several characteristics that you and I, as Christians, should begin to see removed from our lives.  The passage continues to identify who you and I in Christ.  God considers us to be: living stones, chosen, precious, a holy priesthood, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own possession, and God's people.  Here is the passage:

"So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,” and
“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." 1 Peter 2:1-12

What does this mean in a nutshell?

We are VERY important to God.  We aren't "sinners saved by grace," or "poor me!," or "I'll never be anything." No, this passage says, with Christ you are no longer subjected to the things of this world, but He does the living.  If we die to ourselves, which Christ tells us, "Take up your cross..." than we can solely rely on Him for our identity.  If He is not your identity or rock bottom, than you need to figure out what is, throw it out and make Him your identity!

God has called you and I to be his ambassador or his representative on earth.  When we accept Christ, we must step into salvation, dig deep into his word, prayer, worship Him and fellowship with other believers (talking about Him).  Seeking Him and spending time with Him reassures you and I that these scriptures are completely true.  How do we build friendships on earth? We spend time with one another.  Same with Him, to know Him better we need to spend time with Him.

Stop beating yourself up or tearing yourself down or wallowing in self pity; as believers, be assured that your identity is in Christ and it looks like 1 Peter 2:1-12.  Don't listen to me, just read 1 Peter 2:1-12, the Holy Spirit will teach you.

God Bless.

Identity Crisis

"...the Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose." C. S. Lewis - Mere Christianity

It's amazing how relevant this C. S. Lewis quote is today. Brian Dodd writes at www.churchleaders.com that, "Only 4% of Generation Y (the technology generation) is actively attending church."

Here's an example of one of those 4% attending church: she is a female student who was raised in baptist church and claims to know Christ, "Wish I could go out into public with no makeup on without people judging me." What am I trying to point out: The church is NOT actively pursuing men and women "into Christ."

Could this be some random quote or maybe the teenager was having a bad day? Sure. But when you consistently hear and read about students who are more worried about themselves and their physical appearance, where is her identity?

This is one reason I believe that many in the Church have an identity crisis. You and I are the Church.

Most students I come in contact with, high school age and college students are not grounded in Christ. There is a reason and sometimes we need to ask ourselves why 96% of Generation Y is not attending a church.

Brian Dodd also states "When Bill Hybels and Rick Warren admit that small groups in their current format are simply not effective on a mass scale..."

"NOT EFFECTIVE," Hybels even authored a book on how his mega church format was not working.

I am not attacking mega churches or small groups or any church, I am just presenting an example and hoping to spur others to start doing church differently.

How do you solve an identity crisis? The Church must be grounded in Christ.

As the Church/Christians we need to start investing in people, begin teaching and living the Word to one another. And always point those around is to Him.

Consider missional living and seeking Christ together with your neighbors and others around you, just doing life, letting others witness your living testimony. Impacting those around us, being the "Church" everyday, showing them Christ begins the change.

The next "big thing", the "wow factor", whatever, is distracting from Christ. If it is anything other than Christ, than the church is going down the wrong path.

Scripture says in Acts 6, "These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly" Christ is all about moving and changing people in BIG ways, but we MUST be grounded in Him. He becomes our identity.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

Do you want our faith and the Church to become, "simply a waste of time?" Of course not. Find your identity in Christ and return to Him. Only in Him can change begin.

God bless.

"...a date which will live in infamy..." FDR

"Before I formed you..."

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5

You and I are set apart. Our Father in heaven knew us before we were created. He knew you and I were going to be here and now.

Our God is sovereign, which means supreme authority. He rules over you and I; He desires for us to be His instruments, spreading His name among all nations.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

He is in control. He has it all in His hands. Let us continue to be set apart and follow in the path He is laid before and carry on.  


Many times we let ourselves beat ourselves up, think we are inadequate and bow to fear.  The Word of God says they we don't have to have these thoughts, but when we focus on Him we come to realize these two truths.


We are set apart. God wants to take care of you. He is all knowing.


God Bless.

Fun Times @ Dinner

Keith Coast Promo Video

Check out this amazing Keith Coast promo video.  Well done...and the guy does an amazing job teaching kids the word of God.

Psalm 146:7-9

Psalm 146 is a wonderful proclamation of hope for you and I in Christ Jesus. In verse 5 we are told, "Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God." This promise is fulfilled in Christ Jesus who is our hope.  The psalm goes on to describe some of the attributes and characteristics of Christ we will see lived out by Him:

"He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked." Psalm 146:7-9

Jesus fulfills all these prophesies when He is born to Joseph and Mary.  He encompasses all these things that are counter to what the world does or believes.  In Matthew 10:5-8, He gives you and I the same power:

"These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." Matthew 10:5-8

This passage says Jesus, "sent out" is the word apostellō (ἀποστέλλω) which means to order (one) to go to a place appointed.  What an empowering moment; Jesus appoints you and I to go out, proclaim the message that the kingdom of heaven has come near and to be His representative in the ways listed.

What does that look like?

• ...upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry = spreads the gospel and feeds the homeless.
• ...sets prisoners free = guides those in bondage of sin to freedom in Christ.
• ...gives sight to the blind = heals the sick.
• ...lifts up those who are bowed down = lifts up his neighbor when times are hard.
• ...loves the righteous = love your brothers and sisters.
• ...watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow = takes care of strangers and those who can't take care of themselves.
• ...frustrates the ways of the wicked = speaks out against heresy and religion and invites those into relationship with Christ.

Do you believe that Christ now rules your life now and you are now the conduit for these things to happen?  Christ has called you and I to die to ourself and allow Him to rule; we can only do these things listed about with Him in control.  

What are you waiting for? 

What are you still holding on to or trying to control?

"It's not about you." Rick Warren says, in my opinion, best line in the book.  Put your hope in Him. Allow Him to rule. Know that you are appointed to do His work and be blessed.

God Bless.

Happy Birthday, Granny

Granny would have turned 91 this year today. She passed away a little over two months after her husband, my Grandad. I had the pleasure of growing up about about half a mile from them and seeing them at least once a week. Sunday's after church, you wanted to be at Granny's. She always had something great to eat: macaroni and cheese, stew, and banana pudding (to name just a few or those are what I loved). Granny never sold you short, she'd always tell you what was on her mind. "Jeremy, you've gained some weight," she proclaimed sometime after graduating high school. Yes, Granny was one of a kind. She enjoyed watching As the World Turns and you either stated quite during the show or left. Here is what the newspaper published:

Sylvia Jewell (Robinson) Hellums, 85, passed away Friday, Sept. 22, 2006, at her home in Cedar Creek. She was born on Nov. 26, 1920, in Bastrop County, to Hosea L. and Florence (Jones) Robinson. 

Sylvia was married to Harold Utis Hellums on Nov. 25, 1939, in McMahan. They moved to Cedar Creek in 1941. She gave her heart to Christ in the Pentecostal Church. She loved to cook and to sew, and she was fond of raising violets and cactus. 

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Harold Utis Hellums, on July 5, 2006; her brothers, Terrel, Elmo, Hulon and Nolan Robinson; and by her sister, Lerah Hendrix. 

She is survived by her son, Denis Hellums and his wife Donna of Cedar Creek; her daughters, Gail Hellums of Cedar Creek and Lana Turner and her husband Gene of Bastrop; one brother, H.L. Robinson of Bastrop; one sister, Wilma Westbrook of Austin her grandsons, Lyn D. Turner, Terry Turner, Jeremy Hellums, Aaron Hellums and his wife Katie, and Matthew Hellums; her step-grandchildren, Matthew Foster and Christa Foster; and her great-granddaughters, Addie Turner and Makayla Turner. 

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006, in the McCurdy Memorial Chapel with Rev. Martin Ruiz officiating. Interment followed in Bunton Cemetery in Dale.

Granny and Grandad saw the world change tremendously; from the Great Depression to the Tech Boom (and Bust)...they witnessed and passed on so much to me and my family. I am thankful for them both and miss them often.

I love you, Granny, Happy Birthday.

God bless.

Happy Birthday, Grandad

I am reminded today of my Grandad.  He would have turned 94 today, but passed away on July 5, 2006. I will never forgot the many memories he and I shared from him teaching me how to drive on his knee in his blue pick-up or one of his famous lines, "don't tear up the grass," before my brothers and I would leave his house on a 4-wheeler. Grandad and Granny hold a very special place in my heart and sometimes catch myself wondering what they'd say about our two little boys.  They loved so many people that came to their home.  I might not have known it than, but that's what it was; we could take anyone to see Granny and Grandad.  Most days you could expect to see Grandad in his coveralls and if he wasn't on the couch relaxing, he was in the kitchen offering you some food or his latest cache of BBQ from Lockhart.

Harold Hellums, 88, passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2006, at his home in Cedar Creek,  Texas. He was born on Nov. 21, 1917, in Dale, Texas, to Jess and Lillie Mae (Alexander) Hellums. 

Harold married Sylvia Robinson on Nov. 25, 1939, in McMahan. They moved to Cedar Creek in 1941, where he worked for 60 years in the oil and ranching business. He accepted Christ in the Pentecostal Church and attended various Baptist Churches. 

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Jess and Lillie Mae Hellums, and by two brothers, Terrell B. Hellums and A.O. Hellums. 

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sylvia J. Hellums of Cedar Creek; son, Dennis Hellums and wife, Donna, of Cedar Creek; daughters Gail Hellums of Cedar Creek and Lana Turner and husband, Gene, of Bastrop; brother, Jess Hellums, Jr., and wife, Betty, of Lockhart; sister-in-law, Llavona Hellums of Dale; grandsons, Lyn D. Turner, Terry Turner, Jeremy Hellums, Aaron Hellums and Matthew Hellums; step-grandchildren, Matthew Foster and Christa Foster; and great-granddaughters, Addie Turner and Makayla Turner. 

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, 2006, at McCurdy Memorial Chapel with Rev. Gary Rogers and Rev. Martin Ruiz officiating. Interment followed in Bunton Cemetery. 

The family wishes to express its gratitude to Austin Hospice, Bluebonnet Home Healthcare, and Dr. Lance Carroll, M.D., for helping us through this trying time, and a very special thank you to the angels who came into our lives – Felipa Jaramillo, Maria Valdez, Ruth Cordova and Susie Martinez. Memorials in Harold’s memory may be made to a charity of choice.

My most recent memory of Grandad was Christmas of 2005. He was using a walker and came into the dining area. I grabbed another walker and we rammed into one another. I'll never forget the huge smile on his face as we played and laughed; amazing to watch and 88 year old man play like a child.

If you get a chance to tell someone you love them, do it. God bless.

Words Don't Mean Nothin'

‎"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks," Jesus.

These are the words of Jesus recorded in Luke 6:45.  My title, Words Don't Mean Nothin', is a cultural falsehood, a lie, or a trap we sometimes fall into. Words do have meaning and words have repercussions.  Words are so important, Jesus said that we can identify good and evil by the words that come out of someones mouth.

Jesus changes you and I from the inside out.  Along the journey, He changes your heart.  Your heart is either good or evil and according to this passage, what comes out of your mouth is directly from the heart.

What does your heart look like?

Sarcastic.

Compassionate.

Rude.

Empathetic.

Heartless.

Passionate.

Christ.

It's time that many of us check our hearts.  What's coming out of your mouth is the monitor.  Jesus desires that a, "good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good."

May you be touched by God's word and allow Him to change you.  Only Christ can change your heart.

God Bless.

Playing in the Water After the Rain

When You Are Away

To Kari:

When you are away,
It just isn't the same.

I want to say, "its all the same,"
But it clearly isn't.

The cheerful tone in your voice.
The radiante smile on your face.
The beauty you share glimmers.p
The passion you show me - amazing!

It's clearly not the same,
When you are away.

Chapter Six: What Happened Next

For Chapter Five Click Here

John-Thomas was a skilled rifleman. He had served in Desert Storm and the early years of Operation Freedom; he was a reserved man, but understood what it took to carry out a mission. John-Thomas was now operating in "mission mode."

He immediately left to find out what window had been broken and why.

I clung to my weapon and let my mind wander for a moment, "I hope the boys have after school activities...I don't want them involved...what is really happening..." were just a few of the thoughts. I needed to regain composure and focus on the task at hand.

Two shots were heard from the other side of the property. John-Thomas is either shooting or being shot at.

As I came around the corner into the utility room, I saw John-Thomas standing on the patio lowering his weapon. "Did you shoot?" he yelled at me.

"No!" with a hint of panic.

I stepped outside to survey the patio and two creatures lay dead; one directly in front of John-Thomas and the other behind him. "Someone is helping us," he acknowledged, "but I didn't tell anyone what was going on here."

I scanned the outskirts of the property and did not see anyone. "Where's the third creature?" I exclaimed. The hair on the back my neck began to tingle; suddenly two bat-like arms wrapped around my waist pulling me back into the house.

This concludes Chapter Six: What Happened Next

Please note, this is a work of fiction, currently being hashed out here at Insert Title Here. Thoughts, ideas and story is the property of the author.

Tune in later for Chapter Seven: It's Not a Dream