Jayceoneal.com

A podcast exploring faith and imagination . . . from Pilgrim's Progress to Star Trek, Superman to LOTR, Star Wars to Narnia:

Ben, Steve, and Dr. Jayce look at the nexus between imaginative fiction and the human condition. They talk about God, the human journey to understand their faith through stories, and whether or not Kirk is better than Picard.

If you have time check out a podcast that Ben Avery and I co-host! PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD TO FRIENDS AND FAMILIES!: http://strangersandaliens.com/

A few Weeks ago I was asked to present a spoken word (a poem or writing of some sort spoken out loud to an audience). For a few days before I had tried to come up with something, but it didn't seem to be quite right. Finally, at the very last moment I got inspired. I wrote it and then spoke it and it seemed to hit a chord with the audience. Dr. Linda Mintle who is an author and friend asked permission to post it for her website. I said yes. You can read that piece on her blog here:

 http://blog.beliefnet.com/doinglifetogether/2011/09/be-still-and-know.html

The Road Taken (The Road Most Traveled)

by Jayce O’Neal

3-18-04, 2004 (c)

Is this the best thing to do?

Is there where I should be?

A million choices to sort through

Mountains of decisions blind me

If I choose this, what will it mean?

Options mount, but what, when, and where?

So many variables that can’t be foreseen

Discombobulated, am I here or there?

Playing it safe may not be grand

But taking a risk leaves too much unclear

I’ve sentenced my life to an unliving bland

I foolishly say, maybe next year

Immobilized to move because I do fear

The unknown, the hidden, anything I can’t see

So instead I stay frozen-keeping fear so near

Subscribing my life to mediocrity

It has been a while since my last blog post and the reason is because we have been swamped!!!!

We have had some exciting things happen these past few months. Here is a bullet point update to give you a broad overview:

1. I have a new book coming out soon and I'll release more info on that in the near future. This will be my fourth book, so I am looking forward to it. This book is being translated into another language as well, so that is going to be super cool. More info soon to come!!!
2. Erica and I have our last episode of the mini web series we started a while back. To see that video click: HERE.
3. FINALLY, Erica and I have accepted a position at Open Door Chapel in Virginia Beach as the lead pastors! This church was a leading church for many years in the area and the congregation felt that they needed some new life and asked us to come in to revitalize the church. We are both so excited to help these lovely people and see how we can come along and serve with them. Pastor Dan and the New Life community have been wonderful in helping us in this new endeavor. We will be sending out more updates on this as our journey progresses!

We look forward to this next stage of life, so please keep us in your prayers and write back to us I love hearing from you all!

Don't forget to be thankful for what we do have. Much of the year it is easy to think of the things we might not have. We spend so much time on what we desire and not nearly as much time as we should on what we already are blessed with. However, Thanksgiving is that time of year that makes us sit down and appreciate the little things. Here is my list of things I am thankful for:

1. God
2. Amazing Wife
3. Loving friends & family
4. a healthy church
5. a job
6. a roof over my head
7. a lovely neighborhood
8. quality neighbors
9. fulfilled dreams
10. more dreams to chase
11. fall leaves
12. brisk breeze
13. changing of seasons
14. football
15. books
16. things to look forward to
17. peace
18. joy
19. hope
20. farside comics
21. Where the Sidewalk Ends
22. love
23. beauty
24. forgiveness
25. community
26. cheese
27. peanut butter pie
28. ice cream
29. apples
30. a bed to rest
31. a desk to work
32. new ideas
33. and so much more....what are some things you're thankful for?

The past couple months have been a whirlwind! So many things have been going on so I wanted to update those of you who follow our happenings and such. So here is a quick run down...

On the Road Again

Erica and I have relocated back to Virginia Beach where we met and got married. We had a lot of doors open up but they were all east of Nashville, so we figured if all things were equal that we’d rather be in a place that felt like home with lots of friends and family and an awesome church. The fact that the economy and film industry in LA had really slowed also helped make up our minds. Just a few days after we got back on the east coast we started getting auditions as though we had never left.

The Book Release

My new book “No Girls Allowed” released this week! You can show your support by telling your friends about it and BUYING the book!!! See the Book here

Tyndale Story

Tyndale House is one of the largest trade publishers in America and they were great to work with. They have a story about me on their website, so check it out and you might learn something about me that you might not have known. Also, you get a sneak peak of a future project I have been working on as well: See Tyndale Story here

Dr. J aka Rappin Jayce

During a radio interview for my book the DJ created a “Jayce Rap”. It is likely the only time you will hear me rap so check it out: Listen to rap here

Win a Free copy

If you want to try and win a free copy of my new book check this out: To see how to possibly win a new copy see here

Radio Interview

Here is a radio interview about my book: Listen to radio interview here

If you could describe this picture in one word what would it be? (Leave Comment Below)

By Dr. Jayce O’Neal

7-9-2010

Independence. It is the basis that every American principle is based on. We have the freedom to make decisions on our own. We are free to choose our church, our jobs, and our friends. However, if you look at the landscape of relational America one can begin to see that it is not always healthy independence that people are exercising, but rather something woefully different. We now can custom make just about anything we need. We can get our cars any color or specification we desire. Heck, you can even get a helicopter pad put on the roof of your vehicle if you have the money. When you go to a restaurant you can get your meal exactly to your liking. You can get it medium rare, without mayo, extra side of this or that and double the dessert to top it all off. Freedoms are not bad in and of themselves, but it becomes very dangerous when a person begins to apply it to human beings. Often when a person cannot customize the people around them they begin to distance themselves from those around them.

It wouldn’t be too hard for you to find a person who has decided to isolate themselves to avoid having to deal with any unwanted people. Perhaps you know someone in your family, work place, or perhaps you yourself are guilty of detachment.

Detachment, refers to a condition where the people are so independent in their functioning that it is difficult to figure out how they are related to one another. (Mental Health)

A healthy person may take personal time to recharge and catch their breath from their hectic life. Jesus did this. He went away to be alone (or sometimes with a few close friends) and rested. This is perfectly fine.

A person guilty of detachment separates himself or herself as an habitual routine. Independence is based in a healthy freedom, but detachment is based in a self centered control. The motivation for this form of control is usually fear or pride. Perhaps the person has been hurt or rather they simply believe they are above others.

In friendships a healthy person may need time alone. This is especially true if this individual is an introvert. Needing personal time is absolutely normal.

A “friend” who is guilty of detachment can barely be considered a dependable friend. They simply do not commit to too much. This may result in many unreturned phone calls or emails. This person is usually wrapped up in his or her own world and sees other’s attempts to connect on a deeper level as a threat to their independence or self importance.

A healthy person isn’t afraid to make a commitment.

A detached person simply does not like to commit and if he or she does then they often do not follow through with their commitments.

In marriages it is healthy for a spouse to have some alone time. If Sarah wants to go get a massage or pedicure or Ken decides to watch a baseball game to unwind it is totally normal.

Yet, it is not healthy when a spouse becomes emotionally unavailable or decides to do everything on his or her own. If Sarah starts sleeping in another room or Ken only goes to the movies alone then something is out of sync. At times spouses check out because they find it tough to cope with present circumstances or they simply become lazy in their obligations. Detachment does not fully consider the needs of the other party.

A healthy response to being active in church would to recognize that you can’t be a part of every program and every activity, but to be committed to whatever possible and being active in the community of the ministry.

A detached person will view activity in church as a hotbed of hypocrites and a threat to their independence. A detached person can use past experience to justify their beliefs that church is simply a man made construct with no use for today.

Detachment is in direct contradiction to how Jesus lived and how he wanted his followers to live. Jesus says I will meet you where you are. Detachment says meet me where I want to meet…if I feel like it. Jesus loved the unlovable. Detachment is a self centered, immature approach to life that is equal to social clicks of high school where one can pick and choose the cool kids while leaving the undesirables behind. Jesus spent time with the tough personalities and potentially dramatic folks, but detachment views that as a direct violation of his or her freedom. And they are right, but freedom is morally neutral. Freedom can be used for good and for bad and in many cases in the local church or in the relationships of Christians people choose to detach themselves rather than use their independence to love on those who might be tough to love.

It is possible to special order your food or car, but one can’t special order people. People disappoint. People fail. People are imperfect, but Jesus still hung out with Judas and Peter even though he knew they would both fail him. Jesus spent more time with the sick, depressed, and difficult people than the high prestige and “cool” people. Jesus spent time alone to seek God and recharge to help others, while detachment separates oneself to be alone to help him or herself only.

Detachment is selfish, lazy, and weak. Many times those that show no grace to others were never shown grace themselves. This does not excuse their behavior, but it does allow others to empathize with these individuals. God loves them just like he loves you.

However, with great freedom comes great responsibility; or to whom much is given, much is required. After all, Matthew 19 points out to love your neighbor as yourself, not love yourself only.

Mental Health-http:www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_index.php?idx=37&id=156

Dr. Jayce O’Neal July 7, 2010 ©