This is the first video in a new series called Due East Re-View. Due East was an award-winning Christian slice-of-life webcomic co-written by me and my wife, Angel Steadham with art by me. It ran from 2007 until 2009 on The Duck Webcomics and is now available in its entirety for free on Comic Fury.

My interview with Parker J. Cole on the Write Stuff Radio podcast aired this Tuesday, August 16, 2022. We discussed The Former Things and how it is a non-formulaic Christian Romance novel. You can listen to it on the embedded player below. Check it out! Feedback welcome.

We live in a time of great division. Political division, wars and rumors of wars, and spiritual division. These things are symptomatic of the world we live in.

Matthew 12: 25-28 (King James Version = KJV) reads:

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

It is one of the oldest battle tactics: divide and conquer.

However, just because that tactic is being used does not mean it has to succeed. God has offered us a way to endure and even thrive, spiritually, in the midst of the worst of times on Earth. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live on the Earth as fully man and fully God, and to be a sacrifice for all of our sins. Then when Jesus ascended to heaven, He sent the Holy Ghost to be the Comforter in His physical absence.

God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are One. They are called the Godhead.

Sin — which is disobedience to God and the standards He set for humankind — exists on the Earth because of the original disobedience of Adam and Eve. Their children and everyone born since then have a sinful nature. That is why children are disobedient. They don’t have to be taught that, it is already in them. People have free will and can decide to do good things or bad things.

So, it is not surprising that people make bad choices that hurt themselves and other people. This has been happening throughout history. It is why wars happen and has led to many tragedies. The Bible shows this very clearly. Many times, God was upset and even angry with His chosen people, the Jews, and rebuked them through His prophets and God’s own actions.

After all that God had done for them, showing them His miraculous and unparalleled power as well as His love and mercy, they were still a disobedient people. God pleaded with them to abandon their disobedience, especially the worshiping of false gods, which God likened to adultery and prostitution. And yet, God still showed mercy.

Jeremiah 3: 6-15 (KJV) reads:

The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.

And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.

​And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.

And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.

Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.

Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.

Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Ultimately, God sent His Son because only Jesus was worthy to become the sacrifice for all sin, taking everyone’s place on the cross to be crucified. As the only perfect being who lived as a human while also being the personification of God Himself, Jesus lived without any sin. Then Jesus was resurrected from the dead by God and given the highest honor.

Philippians 2: 5-11 (KJV) reads:

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Christianity was something new that God created, offering His salvation not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles (everyone who wasn’t a Jew). This had been foretold by His prophets long before Jesus walked on the Earth.

Isaiah 55: 5-11 (KJV) reads:

Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Over time, divisions have come even between Christians. Some of this is normal since we are all individuals with differing viewpoints and experiences. But we have the Bible, which should unify Christians.

Unfortunately, too many people are not being taught the Bible or studying it actively. Many are not having an active prayer life. And while many Christians may have good intentions, if they are not regularly leaning and depending on Jesus, they can be led by their emotions instead of the Holy Spirit. This is spiritually dangerous since it leaves the Christian vulnerable to sinful longings and behavior.

2 Timothy 4: 3-4 (KJV) states “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

And there are plenty of false teachers, preachers, and so-called prophets trying to appeal to people’s political and personal interests. Many of those preachers and teachers also claim that the Bible wasn’t meant to be interpreted literally or that the problems the Bible addressed were relevant in the past and don’t apply to present times.

But God has not changed. What God taught and commanded through his prophets, pastors, and teachers still applies and can be used today. Anyone who says otherwise is actually denying God and His Word, usually offering justifications for what God calls sin.

2 Peter 2: 1-9 (KJV) reads:

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

(For that righteousness man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

In the end, we each are accountable to ourselves and to God, whether we call ourselves Christians, agnostics, atheists or adherents to other faiths or belief systems. If we do call ourselves Christians, then we are claiming to follow Jesus Christ. So, we should put Christ first in our lives, worship Him with all our heart, and follow Jesus’s examples.

We are not perfect like Jesus. We have flaws and shortcomings, things we need to grow in understanding and mature about. But through prayer, studying God’s Word (the Bible), attending church, and listening to the instruction of the Holy Spirit, we can resist sin, live a fulfilling life, and be a blessing to others by representing Christ.

John 14: 23-29 (KJV) reads:

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Lastly, Matthew 28: 18-20 (KJV) reads:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Lights in a Dark Sky (A Republic Chronicles Anthology) has its official release today! It is available as a free ebook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. It is also available in print on Amazon for $8.80 plus tax and shipping (free shipping with Amazon Prime). I made a trailer for it also.

- Amazon buy link for print version

- Amazon link for free ebook

- Barnes & Noble (ebook)

- Kobo (ebook)

This is a new Series trailer for Steam & Mettle, the Christian steampunk trilogy I’m currently working on (to be published by Ambassador International). Consider this an introduction to the series. This is the Earth you’ll be visiting. Feedback welcome!

If you want to get to know an author, read their books. An author shares what’s important to them in what they write about. It doesn’t have to be a specific cause, it can just be their views on life or family.
 
An author’s writing reveals their likes, dislikes, hopes, and fears. What they don’t write about or include can be just as illuminating. Most authors immerse themselves in their writing, worlds they want to explore, share, or develop. And the kinds of environments or worlds an author creates can be a reflection of their inner world or what they idealize.

This is also where it can take a disturbing turn. Many authors are very emotional, at least when they project their feelings through their stories. But if they have traumas or mental health issues, those can be manifested through their writings as well. Authors often find therapeutic release in their writings. And while that feels satisfying or at least good to the author, it can make for troubling reading for their audience.
 
Authors especially like to plant “Easter eggs” in their stories. These can be in-jokes, running gags, local or pop culture references, or references to friends and relatives. These also reflect what is important or amusing to the author, granting a different kind of view of who they are.
 
So, if you want to learn more about your favorite authors or any author in particular, read their books, short stories, and novellas. You’ll pick up on consistent themes, ideas, and details they include in the writings. It might help you enjoy their stories more.

This excerpt is from Unto Dust (A Mindfire Prequel), my current work-in-progress. The scene features Steve Hamilton (Crusader, the co-leader of the AR-MEN superhero team) and his then-girlfriend, Angela Merrick. It is set in 1992 in Digby, California.

NOTE: There might be changes to this scene by the time the book is published, due to the editing process. But this will give you a good first look.

(Excerpt begins)

“You really want to break up with me?” she had said, sitting with her torso turned to him in the passenger seat of this car. She had looked at him with hurt in her emerald-green eyes as she folded her arms across her waist line.

 “It’s not that I want to break up with you, Angela,” Steve had replied. “I just think that it’s best. You know what almost happened today. You could have been killed.”

Though it was a fine Spring day outside, within the parked car, their storm was raging. It was as if they were in a separate space from the world around them.

“You protected me,” she had countered. “Isn’t that what matters?”

“Angela, Togarr is a barbarian that I take seriously. He’s from another dimension and he’s a killer. Clever, strong, and experienced. When he had you, with one arm wrapped around your waist and his axe blade an inch from your throat, I was terrified for you. If I didn’t have super speed, I wouldn’t have been able to fly in, disarm, and K.O. him. You would have died.”

She had looked down, as though reliving that moment. “I know,” she replied softly.

“The fact is, I protected you this time. I might not always be able to do that,” he had added. “And what if one of the AR-MEN’s enemies learned you’re my — Crusader’s — girlfriend?”

Angela had lifted her head and made sharp eye contact with him again. “This is because I don’t have powers like you,” she had interjected bitterly.
Steve had sighed and hung his head. “Yes, I’m afraid so.”          

She had looked down, balled her hands into fists, and cursed under her breath. Then she locked eyes with his, sadness and fury warring within.

“We have something good, Steve! We’ve been building this relationship. I know it hasn’t been that long, but I want a life together with you,” she began. “I may not have a suit of armor like John or fox powers like Dana, but I’m intelligent and resourceful. Most of the time, I can take care of myself very well. I can stay out of sight or get out of the way when you go into action. I can learn how to use a gun.”

Even though her eyes were misty, and her face was reddening from stress and anger, she conveyed a confidence that surprised Steve. He shook his head. “Please, don’t buy a gun. That could just as easily be used on you.”

“Fine,” she huffed. “This is more important anyway: I understand you. I can be there for you and give you a perspective you need.”

What she was saying had made sense to him. He knew she was right, and he wanted what she wanted. But over the next several seconds, his responsibilities and fears lashed against his hopes until he couldn’t stand it anymore.

“Don’t you get it?!” he roared, venting his frustration. “None of that matters if they hunt you down and —” He had stopped himself from going further, but he knew he’d already said too much.

Angela was visibly stunned, but only briefly. “None of that matters,” she repeated numbly. She closed her eyes and he could see her own tension build until it erupted. “I can’t believe this! You want to throw away what we have and kick me out because of the chance that something might happen to me?!” she raged, her voice filled with resentment.

Steve looked at the dashboard, then downward at the car door next to him. He could look anywhere but at Angela. Every time he did, he saw that her face was brimming with frustration and disappointment. And that made him regret doing this, despite how firm he was in his decision.

“Do I really mean that little to you?” she said in a near-whisper. He had heard the tears in her voice, and it tore into him. He held his breath and tensed up.

He had turned his head to face her, starting to reach over to offer some kind of comfort. But before he could speak, she had opened the car door and stepped out.

“Fine. I’ll go get my things and pack them into my car. Don’t even think about helping me,” she had said, standing next to the car with the door still open. She paused a moment, then poked her head into the car with daggers in her eyes. “Oh, and you can keep the bed.”

After that, she slammed the car door and walked away furiously.

(Excerpt ends)

Before I started writing novels, I wrote and drew comic books, specifically an original superhero team comic called The AR-MEN. I worked on that from 1980 to 2000 and made a final issue in 2006.

Then I wrote the Christian superhero thriller novel Mindfire which was published by Ambassador International in 2019. In the following video, I use the Mindfire cover and art clips from the comics to illustrate the ten main differences between the AR-MEN superhero team as they were depicted in my comic books and the novel.