Jonathan E. Hickory's Blog

This is your chance to be a part of a film, funded by faith, that reaches a police officer or first responder who is considering ending their own life. ALL who donate $100 or more toward the fund-raising of this film will have their names listed in the credits for the film!!! To tithe/donate to this mission, click this link: https://www.givesendgo.com/breakevery... Break Every Chainis a multiple award winning true story written by an active duty Virginia police officer, Chaplain, author and speaker Jonathan Hickory.  The story has been endorsed by Pastor Jonathan Falwell, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, and so many more. The story is now on the verge of being turned into a Christian film by producer Jason Campbell of JC Films.  We need your help to raise funds for film production.  This story has already reached so many police officers, first responders and others who are suffering from deep depression, sadness, post traumatic stress, and suicidal thoughts.  Will you help to reach those who sacrifice so selflessly? The following is a summary of the story: "Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and military members all see the innermost of our dark and fallen world. Jonathan Hickory gives us a veteran police officer’s intimate perspective into the struggle that many of our heroes battle in their hearts. ​ Drowning in the depths of depression and sadness, burning with anger, and chained down by alcoholism, Jonathan couldn’t do anymore. After the loss of his father as a young boy, facing countless horrific death scenes in the line of duty, and the death of his son, Jonathan turned to the world for answers—finding only darkness. Facing the threat of losing his job as a police officer, the loss of his wife and daughter, and contemplating suicide, Jonathan turns to the only One who can truly save. This amazing story of grace and the life changing power of Jesus Christ is guaranteed to encourage and inspire." For more information, visit https://breakeverychainmovie.com To donate $100 and get your name in the CREDITS FOR THE FILM, click here: https://www.givesendgo.com/breakevery... God BLESS you, Jonathan E. Hickory

This is your chance to be a part of a film, funded by faith, that reaches a police officer or first responder who is considering ending their own life.

ALL who donate $100 or more toward the fund-raising of this film will have their names listed in the credits for the film!!! To tithe/donate to this mission, click this link: https://www.givesendgo.com/breakeverychainmovie

Break Every Chainis a multiple award winning true story written by an active duty Virginia police officer, Chaplain, author and speaker Jonathan Hickory.  The story has been endorsed by Pastor Jonathan Falwell, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, and so many more.  

The story is now on the verge of being turned into a Christian film by producer Jason Campbell of JC Films.  We need your help to raise funds for film production.  This story has already reached so many police officers, first responders and others who are suffering from deep depression, sadness, post traumatic stress, and suicidal thoughts.  Will you help to reach those who sacrifice so selflessly?

The following is a summary of the story:

"Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and military members all see the innermost of our dark and fallen world. Jonathan Hickory gives us a veteran police officer’s intimate perspective into the struggle that many of our heroes battle in their hearts.

​

Drowning in the depths of depression and sadness, burning with anger, and chained down by alcoholism, Jonathan couldn’t do anymore. After the loss of his father as a young boy, facing countless horrific death scenes in the line of duty, and the death of his son, Jonathan turned to the world for answers—finding only darkness. Facing the threat of losing his job as a police officer, the loss of his wife and daughter, and contemplating suicide, Jonathan turns to the only One who can truly save.

This amazing story of grace and the life changing power of Jesus Christ is guaranteed to encourage and inspire."

For more information, visit ,,https://breakeverychainmovie.com

To donate $100 and get your name in the CREDITS FOR THE FILM, click here: https://www.givesendgo.com/breakeverychainmovie

God BLESS you,

Jonathan E. Hickory

You can learn the secrets I found for leading an actively balanced life of resilience; the key to surviving a career in law enforcement.

--From Readers' Favorite-- For immediate release: Readers' Favorite recognizes "Break Every Chain" by Jonathan E. Hickory in its annual international book award contest, currently available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1643.... Readers' Favorite is proud to announce that "Break Every Chain" by Jonathan E. Hickory won the Gold Medal in the Christian - Living category. The Readers' Favorite International Book Award Contest featured thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries, ranging from new independent authors to NYT best-sellers and celebrities. Readers' Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the "Best Websites for Authors" and "Honoring Excellence" awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies. We receive thousands of entries from all over the world. Because of these large submission numbers, we are able to break down our contest into 140+ genres, and each genre is judged separately, ensuring that books only compete against books of their same genre for a fairer and more accurate competition. We receive submissions from independent authors, small publishers, and publishing giants such as Random House, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, with contestants that range from the first-time, self-published author to New York Times bestsellers like J.A. Jance, James Rollins, and #1 best-selling author Daniel Silva, as well as celebrity authors like Jim Carrey (Bruce Almighty), Henry Winkler (Happy Days), and Eriq La Salle (E.R., Coming to America). "When the right books are picked as winners we pay attention. We will be spreading the word about Readers' Favorite." --Karen A., Editor for Penguin Random House You can learn more about Jonathan E. Hickory and "Break Every Chain" at https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi... where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages. Readers' Favorite LLC
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800-RF-REVIEW
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https://readersfavorite.com

If I had chosen suicide, would my department have given me full honors?  Would my body have received a full motorcade with my brother officers riding proudly on their freshly detailed Harley Davidson motorcycles, the blinding brilliance of blue lights piercing the night?  Would they have lined up on the streets to pay their respects?  Would my comrades have saluted, standing tall as the cold, dark casket passed them by?  Would the crowd have jumped at the first sound of gunfire as the volleys of unified blasts rang through the air? What would they say about me at the graveside? “Everything seemed to be fine…” “He was just awarded officer of the year last year…” “He smiled and laughed…” “I had no idea what he was facing…” “Doesn’t surprise me that he checked out…” If I had chosen suicide, would anyone have cared?  I had already decided my life was over anyway.  Would my wife have grieved my death?  She and I were barely speaking.  I know it was my fault, I hurt her so badly, and I’ve done so many unspeakable things.  Would my five year old daughter have been able to flourish and grow as she carried the unexplained death of her daddy?  Would my friends have been devastated, plagued by survivor’s guilt, wishing they had recognized the signs of someone who was a high risk for suicide? “I’m praying for the family..” “How will they survive without his income..” “I know he was hurting but I never thought…” “He was drinking a lot more heavily…” If I had chosen suicide, would anyone have done anything about it?  Would they have named a street or dedicated a park in memory of me?  Would they have retired my badge number— to honor me, or would it have been to prevent another officer from being shrouded by the shame?  Would they have begun to consider taking peer support and mental health more seriously?  Or would they continue to cloak their own thoughts in shadows and make fun of officers who are hurting? “I heard he was messing around with…” “I heard he got pulled over and he was drunk, and still in his uniform…” “I heard he got suspended for blowing up in roll call…” “I told him I refused to talk to him, after what he did…” If I had chosen suicide, would I have gone to Heaven? I believe at that moment, I would have burned in Hell forever. I know I never would have come to know the God who I believe created me and loves me as His child. If I had given up and chosen suicide, I never would have seen my marriage restored, I never would have been able to give up alcohol forever.  I never would have seen the birth of my son. I never would have been able to completely heal from depression, post-traumatic stress, and endless sadness. If I had chosen suicide and killed myself, I never would have given myself the chance to get the help that I so desperately needed.  I never would have been able to lift up in prayer, and reach out with hope, to my hurting brothers and sisters in blue as they encounter the darkness and struggle to not succumb to the demons. It takes a strong person, a true warrior, to daily face and battle the hell of this world as a police officer.   It takes reaching deep to realize that you’re hurting, that you’re no longer that same person you were when you took the oath to protect and to serve.  Warriors reach out to get help to win the battle.  Warriors choose help to win the war within. Warrior, get help.  I’m so thankful I did. Image: Law Officer Magazine

Enter to win a FREE copy of Break Every Chain for your KINDLE by clicking the link below! The giveaway will be April 1, 2019. After you click on the link, just select the book and enter your name and email address! https://readersfavorite.com/book-give...

My beloved son turns two years old in a few days. Lately, he loves to play a game with me where he will run tirelessly through the endless grass in our backyard, looking back to see if I am running after him. He has no direction, he has no destination, but he knows he is running from me. To his delight, I pursue him, his little legs moving as fast as they can while my pace remains even, steady, and unwavering. “Chase me, Daddy! Chase me!” he giggles with glee as his blonde hair reflects the warm sunlight. As he looks backwards, sometimes he stumbles and sometimes he tumbles, only to have me leap on top of him and sweep him up into my arms, embracing him with unsurpassable joy and endless love. We laugh together and I find myself overjoyed to share in his laughter and wonder. How often do we, as children of God, run from our Heavenly Father? How often do we pursue worldly things—money, family, success, prideful ambitions, lust, greed, addictions—instead of pursuing our Creator? Though we do not realize it, as we pursue these things as a priority over our faith, we wander and we wonder, as God continues to lovingly pursue our hearts. How can we begin to understand this pursuit? Why would God waste His time with a heart that is not only pursuing worldly meaninglessness, but often times running from Him at the same time? Let’s take a moment to explore God’s desire for His children. You are created in God’s image — YOU are one of God’s children! “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” -Genesis 1:27 Just as we love our children, God loves His children dearly and He desperately wants a close relationship with you. Jesus said, “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” -Matthew 18:12-14 Our vulnerable young children trust their parents and they seek their father for protection from the dark and the dangers of the world — the nightmare, the vicious snarling dog, and crossing the busy street safely. God wants you to trust fully in Him and seek Him for protection from evil. “The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.” -Psalm 121:6-7 Our children rely on us for provision of food, clothing, and shelter. God wants you to trust in Him for provision; He will faithfully provide for you! Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” -Matthew 10:29-31 Our children need and love their father, desiring relationship with him, just as you need Jesus in your heart in order to seek a genuine relationship with God. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” -Jeremiah 29:13 Just as we want the very best for our children, yet know the value of discipline, God wants the very best for His children, and will lovingly discipline when needed. “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. -Hebrews 12:5-11 Have you ever thought about your relationship with God in this way? Your relationship with God is not a friendship, it is not a mutually beneficial business relationship, and it is not an arrangement where you get to call the shots — you are a child of our Sovereign God and you are created in His image. He is a good Father and He wants what is best for His children — that’s you and me! But a good and loving Father will also lovingly pursue and discipline the wayward child. Reflection
God’s pursuit of our hearts is something I am incredibly grateful for. If God had not pursued you, where would you be right now? Have you ever looked back on the hard times in your life, the times before you were walking with the Lord—and realized how He was chasing after you, yearning to sweep you into His arms and embrace you? Are you walking with God, and is He convicting your heart to draw you closer to Him? Or are you still running from Him? If you are not seeking God every day with every facet of your life, you better believe He is pursuing you. If you once were one of His lost sheep and the Good Shepherd found you, praise Him today and forevermore! Prayer
Almighty Father, You are our Good Father, and I am grateful for your pursuit of my heart. Lord, guide my path and help me to seek you first in all that I do, in all that I am. Thank you for loving me as your child, created in your holy image. This post was originally written by author Jonathan E. Hickory for The Point Church in Charlottesville, Virginia.

I just want to be real with you. I understand why cops are killing themselves. I understand because I have been all the way to the end of that dark, desolate road. The only difference, the only saving grace, the only thing that saved me in that moment—was a fellow officer who gave me a mission of hope. The voices whispered into my thoughts, “just end it all…this life…there’s no point..there is no hope…with all the darkness you have seen…with the wretch of a person you have become..there is no hope for you.” Lies. But I almost believed them. And in that moment, I received a sneak preview of Hell itself. Though I had begun to refuse to acknowledge the existence of a higher power, in my heart I still clung to a belief in a Creator..and Heaven…and Hell. A grizzly, gruff Lieutenant in my department recognized my despair and heard my plea for help one day. I was in the midst of an internal investigation and I was convinced my career was over, my wife would leave me, and my daughter would be taken from me. Drowning in alcohol abuse, depression, rage, and darkness, I could see no hope—no way out. I asked my Lieutenant, “How am I supposed to deal with this? I don’t know what to do.” I was cautious not to let him see how much I was hurting inside—that I was crying out for help. I didn’t want him to know the true pain in my heart, for I was so ashamed that I wasn’t tough like him. Before I knew it, my Lieutenant had made a call to our department’s police psychologist and had given my name and number over to the “Cop Doc.” Now, I felt like I had a directive from my leader—Go get help. Soon, I had made my first appointment with the Cop Doc. I found myself sitting in a rickety chair in a small office in an old townhouse that had been converted for commercial use. The soft noise from a noise making machine drowned any conversation in the tiny office from leaking through the paper thin hollow door. Through heavy tears, I poured out my soul to this man who was supposed to be the enemy…this supposed “quack;” the police psychologist. The Cop Doc let me finish, he listened and he acknowledged my pain. He did not try to minimize it, and he did not brush it off or tell me to “tough it out, suck it up.” The Cop Doc was the perfect balance of reality, compassion, and understanding. He walked with me through the darkness and he pulled me out of the bottom of the deepest, darkest pit I have ever been in. Slowly, I put my armor back on. In the weeks that followed, the Cop Doc allowed me to text him directly and treated me as a friend and not a patient. He never wrote anything down and he assured me that all we discussed was completely confidential. He was my only friend at a time when I had none. Soon afterwards, I began attending church and committed my life to God. But I kept going to see the Cop Doc; I knew he could help me. For the first time in so, so long, I felt hope. To this day, I still have a relationship with my Cop Doc, and I am thankful for his friendship and for the simple fact that he will always stand by my side. Today, I am a survivor. My life is back on track, and I’m still a cop. I love my job and I love helping people and making a difference every day. I still face the darkness and the impossibilities of this job, but the new light shining from within me will never be extinguished. My fellow brothers and sisters, we MUST DESTROY the STIGMA. We are NOT weak if we ask for help. We are all human and we are all broken. Your badge is a shield, but it will not shield you from the trauma and the darkness we face. We must seek help when we are hurting, and we must surround ourselves with a support network that will always uplift us and extend a lifeline of hope when we find ourselves in troubled waters. Seeking help is the only weapon we have against the enemy of suicide. -- Read the powerful true story of how my life was changed forever in my award winning book, Break Every Chain: A Police Officer’s Battle with Alcoholism, Depression, and Devastating Loss, and the True Story of How God Changed His Life Forever. Available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Books-A-Million, Walmart, Ebay, and iTunes. For more information, visit https://JonathanHickory.com -- Jonathan Hickory is a Master Police Officer in Charlottesville, Virginia. In his 15 plus years of police experience, Jonathan has mentored and instructed other officers in police driving methods and as a Field Training Officer. Jonathan spent seven years investigating the reconstruction of fatal vehicle crash sites and three years as a motorcycle officer. Jonathan proudly serves as a member of the Police Department's Peer Support Team providing Critical Incident Stress Management support to fellow officers. He also leads a Life Safety team with The Point Church in Charlottesville and the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers. Jonathan has been married to his wife Stacy for over 14 years and has two children.

I just want to be real with you. I understand why cops are killing themselves. I understand because I have been all the way to the end of that dark, desolate road. The only difference, the only saving grace, the only thing that saved me in that moment—was a fellow officer who gave me a mission of hope.

The voices whispered into my thoughts, “just end it all…this life…there’s no point..there is no hope…with all the darkness you have seen…with the wretch of a person you have become..there is no hope for you.”

Lies. But I almost believed them. And in that moment, I received a sneak preview of Hell itself. Though I had begun to refuse to acknowledge the existence of a higher power, in my heart I still clung to a belief in a Creator..and Heaven…and Hell.

A grizzly, gruff Lieutenant in my department recognized my despair and heard my plea for help one day. I was in the midst of an internal investigation and I was convinced my career was over, my wife would leave me, and my daughter would be taken from me.

Drowning in alcohol abuse, depression, rage, and darkness, I could see no hope—no way out. I asked my Lieutenant, “How am I supposed to deal with this? I don’t know what to do.” I was cautious not to let him see how much I was hurting inside—that I was crying out for help. I didn’t want him to know the true pain in my heart, for I was so ashamed that I wasn’t tough like him.

Before I knew it, my Lieutenant had made a call to our department’s police psychologist and had given my name and number over to the “Cop Doc.” Now, I felt like I had a directive from my leader—Go get help.

Soon, I had made my first appointment with the Cop Doc. I found myself sitting in a rickety chair in a small office in an old townhouse that had been converted for commercial use. The soft noise from a noise making machine drowned any conversation in the tiny office from leaking through the paper thin hollow door. Through heavy tears, I poured out my soul to this man who was supposed to be the enemy…this supposed “quack;” the police psychologist.

The Cop Doc let me finish, he listened and he acknowledged my pain. He did not try to minimize it, and he did not brush it off or tell me to “tough it out, suck it up.” The Cop Doc was the perfect balance of reality, compassion, and understanding. He walked with me through the darkness and he pulled me out of the bottom of the deepest, darkest pit I have ever been in. Slowly, I put my armor back on.

In the weeks that followed, the Cop Doc allowed me to text him directly and treated me as a friend and not a patient. He never wrote anything down and he assured me that all we discussed was completely confidential. He was my only friend at a time when I had none.

Soon afterwards, I began attending church and committed my life to God. But I kept going to see the Cop Doc; I knew he could help me. For the first time in so, so long, I felt hope. To this day, I still have a relationship with my Cop Doc, and I am thankful for his friendship and for the simple fact that he will always stand by my side.

Today, I am a survivor. My life is back on track, and I’m still a cop. I love my job and I love helping people and making a difference every day. I still face the darkness and the impossibilities of this job, but the new light shining from within me will never be extinguished. My fellow brothers and sisters, we MUST DESTROY the STIGMA. We are NOT weak if we ask for help. We are all human and we are all broken.

Your badge is a shield, but it will not shield you from the trauma and the darkness we face. We must seek help when we are hurting, and we must surround ourselves with a support network that will always uplift us and extend a lifeline of hope when we find ourselves in troubled waters. Seeking help is the only weapon we have against the enemy of suicide.

--

Read the powerful true story of how my life was changed forever in my award winning book, Break Every Chain: A Police Officer’s Battle with Alcoholism, Depression, and Devastating Loss, and the True Story of How God Changed His Life Forever. Available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Books-A-Million, Walmart, Ebay, and iTunes. For more information, visit https://JonathanHickory.com

--

Jonathan Hickory is a Master Police Officer in Charlottesville, Virginia. In his 15 plus years of police experience, Jonathan has mentored and instructed other officers in police driving methods and as a Field Training Officer. Jonathan spent seven years investigating the reconstruction of fatal vehicle crash sites and three years as a motorcycle officer. Jonathan proudly serves as a member of the Police Department's Peer Support Team providing Critical Incident Stress Management support to fellow officers. He also leads a Life Safety team with The Point Church in Charlottesville and the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers. Jonathan has been married to his wife Stacy for over 14 years and has two children.

I'm happy to announce that my book, "Break Every Chain: A Police Officer's Battle with Alcoholism, Depression, and Devastating Loss; And the True Story of How God Changed His Life Forever", made it to BookAuthority's Best Depression Books of All Time:
https://bookauthority.org/books/best-...
BookAuthority collects and ranks the best books in the world, and it is a great honor to get this kind of recognition. Thank you for all your support!
The book is available for purchase on Amazon and book sellers everywhere.