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Waiting For the Lab Results?

Throughout our life we will often be held in waiting, a state filled with a range of feelings from joyful anticipation to worry and dread. Consider this lab pup waiting patiently at the window, not in the least bit ready to “throw in the towel.” He is certain that his patience will be rewarded with a treat or two from the reception desk, as long as his legs can hold out. While this state of anticipation can challenge our patience and faith in daily life, we have a choice. We can either be tossed by the emotional tides of our circumstances or stand as an immovable force, anchored by our faith in Christ.

Philippians 4: 6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Signed, Sealed, and “Maybe” Delivered

Seeing things through is not merely a sign of maturity but also a mark of strong character. Unfortunately, we live in an age where a handshake and one’s word often mean nothing. There was a time when such a gesture was as binding as a legal contract—a bond or an agreement signifying that an obligation would be fulfilled and a job completed in its entirety.

This carefree attitude of going wherever the wind takes you toward commitment spills over into many areas, especially concerning character. People have become lax in matching their words with their actions. Many profess to have good character, yet their actions rarely bear the “fruit” of their beliefs. True character yields visible results, most clearly demonstrated through integrity, responsibility, and respect. This foundation is strengthened by humility, and self-discipline, while further elevated by a commitment to compassion and caring- all enriched by a steady flow of love, joy, patience and kindness. In a world increasingly defined by divisiveness and hatred, society needs to deliver on these tangible virtues.

United By A Dad Joke?

If we follow current national trends, we could easily be swept into a cycle of hatred and division. Alternatively, we can make a conscious choice to “stand in the gap” by unifying through love, kindness, and grace—virtues that begin with our words and are made evident through our actions. Speaking of words, consider the simple dad joke: What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta. What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing, it just waved. Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field.

I can almost hear the resounding sigh or courtesy chuckle that inevitably follows these corny, punny jokes. Pun intended. Whether you love them or hate them, they rely on a straightforward approach and a complete lack of subtlety; it is always easy to “pick up what the dad is laying down” when it comes to the punchline. In a way, this generation is facing a world that is just as blatant, but instead of laughter and unity we see division and  abrasiveness. Subtlety has vanished from our public discourse, and everything is now front, center, and quite candidly in your face, regardless of who is right or who is wrong. In an era where tact has been lost and every voice is amplified despite the damage it may cause, we have become defensive, unforgiving and on the attack.

However, just as a simple joke can elicit a common, unified response, we as a nation must determine if we are willing to unite around the theme of treating others with respect, regardless of our differences. This doesn’t mean we will always agree, but our instinct for contention must transform into acts of kindness and the wisdom to “turn the other cheek.” Our strength as a nation lies in our unity and our weakness by our divisions. As a “dad” joke enthusiast would say, we need to be more like birds that stick together…..the vel-crows.

Feeling Drained?

1+2=3, 3-2=1. Both of these are considered rather elementary equations as a reference to how one can add or subtract a value directed by which mathematical symbol is being applied. In a similar manner, life is a metaphor of “additions” and “subtractions” that shape the world around us by our individual contributions; symbolizing our true values through our positive or negative expressions.

Let’s take this a step further and incorporate a plumbing reference for levity and clarity, where you’re either a faucet (positively) pouring value into the world or a drain taking it away. It’s easy to justify being a drain by pointing fingers or getting hung up in drama and negativity, but a functional society needs people who are willing to boldly flow toward the positive.

Research shows it’s literally in our heads: positive words strengthen the frontal lobe, while negative words trigger the amygdala, which is the part of the brain for processing emotions—effectively shutting down our ability to reason……and there seems to be a clear pattern of reason lacking in society.

Don’t let someone else’s ‘clogs’ dictate your character. Instead of letting a ‘partial shutdown’ of reasoning fuel the cycle of negativity, choose to be the faucet by filling the world with positive contributions.  Simply put, because it’s not only needed….. it’s the right thing to do!

Culture Trumps Strategy

Strategy is defined as a plan or the art of planning an action to achieve a goal. While high-level strategy is sought-after in successful organizations, some argue that it’s secondary to culture. A great culture fosters the trust and respect that strategy cannot provide alone, with a focus on implanting things that are excellent, commendable, honorable and true; and reinforcing those God given characteristics organization-wide. 

Ultimately, establishing a positive culture creates an environment of purpose for every member, stakeholder, and contributor, ensuring sustainable outcomes through mutual trust, appreciation and respect. An environment, rooted in culture, celebrates success and embraces failure as an opportunity to press forward in faith until the goal is achieved.   

The Bible provides us with a great example of how to establish this type of culture, which when applied will positively impact your environment both personally and professionally.

Philippians 4:8 Whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

Action Requires Movement

Pablo Picasso once stated that “action is the foundational key to success.” While he likely wasn’t referencing the Second Amendment, his words find a striking parallel in the world of firearms. For the gun enthusiast, “action” refers to the central functional mechanism of a breech-loading gun—the “breech” being the rear end of the barrel where the cartridge is loaded. This mechanism is responsible for the critical movement of loading, locking, firing, extracting, and ejecting cartridges. Because this movement is the heart of the machine, a gun owner must prioritize regular assessments and upkeep to ensure the rifle remains in top working order.

For the outdoorsmen, this Henry lever-action, Golden Boy silver rifle serves as a perfect metaphor for how success requires intentional motion. If movement is something we desire in our own lives, we must take the proper steps to initiate it. This begins with casting a vision, which acts as our target; without a clear target, we have nothing to aim for. The next step is to move forward by implementing small, measurable objectives. In essence, this is where we begin “loading” in preparation to fire.

At this stage, accuracy is developed. The process may require a few failures or missed “planning shots,” but the key is to never lose focus on the target. When we lose focus, we risk giving up or failing entirely; consistent movement is the only way to avoid both. You may find that your early practice shots hit only the outer rings, but with each attempt, you reevaluate your movement and adjust as necessary. Ultimately, if the movement is continued with persistence, the goal will be attained……..but without that “action”, like that of a fine firearm, none of this will be achieved!.

Change Comes By Bringing The Right Attitude

“This perennial plant, with its reddish-green fibrous stalks, is known for a sharp bitterness caused by oxalic acid. While the stalks are edible, the large green leaves are toxic and must be avoided, as their high acid concentration can cause severe illness. On its own, the raw stalk mimics the consistency of sour celery; however, when harvested between April and July and paired with the right ingredients—like sugar and strawberries—it transforms into a celebrated tangy-sweet pie.

The parallel is clear: life presents us with circumstances and people that can feel sour or even toxic. Just as a sour attitude cannot fix a bitter plant, reacting with negativity will never improve a challenging situation. To create the change you desire, especially when navigating diverse perspectives and backgrounds, you must introduce the right ‘ingredients.’ It all begins with your attitude—be the ingredient (grace, love & kindness) that transforms the world around you.”

Is Anybody Sorry Anymore?

In today’s generation, the simple phrase “I’m sorry” is used far less than it should be. Instead, many people play the blame game or deflect responsibility rather than taking personal accountability for their actions and choices. Receiving an apology for an unprovoked action of another is nice, but the crucial question remains: Does an apology reflect true sincerity, or is it a strategic avoidance of consequences, or quite possibly just a passive statement with no depth.

Google defines an apology as “a regretful acknowledgment of an offense or failure.” Taking this definition a step further, Google defines “regretful” as “feeling sad or repentant.” This leads us to the core of the issue: what does it mean to be “repentant”?

According to Google, to be repentant means “to feel a sincere regret for wrong doing, leading to a sincere change of mind and a commitment to turn away from error and toward a better path and a demonstrated change in behavior.”And there it is: a changed behavior. Is this what an apology truly entails, or has the genuine “I’m sorry,” as evident by a realized change of behavior, become a relic of the past?

A Run For America

250 years, 5,500 miles, 20 states, 260 days. At face value these are simply a few miscellaneous facts until these facts are interconnected and that connection is made by one man embarking on a journey across America, beginning in Maine and ending in Oregon to celebrate the United States 250th Anniversary. 

In a nation lately defined by its divisions, a single flag moving through the winter landscape of Western New York has begun to bridge the gap. As Noah Coughlan carries the stars and stripes through blustery winds and white-out conditions, the colors serve as a vivid reminder of the storms our country has weathered—and the resilience that always follows.

But the “America” he is discovering is more than just fabric and founding ideals; it is found in the people. They line the streets in every town and village, some cheering, others saluting, and many offering simple gestures of gratitude and love. In these moments, political differences fade. Neighbors stand side-by-side, not to argue, but to unite in a shared appreciation for the freedoms we often take for granted and this man named Noah capturing pieces of America along the way.

Colossians 3:14 Put on love which binds them in perfect unity.

Minions and Minions Of Opinions

There was a time when access to platforms for sharing ideas was simply called “conversation” and was generally conducted inter-personally and only involved those in the room or potentially within earshot, but even under those perimeters, gossip and rumors still gained legs. Then before you know it we heard an electronic startup rhythm featuring a series of unique ding, dings, pong, pongs, and chirps followed by  “You’ve got mail” lending to the rise of digital platforms and “keyboard warriors” which has made it easier for endless voices to share their perspectives and unsubstantiated opinions. This shift opened up an entirely new landscape where a vast amount of content is generated, biased or skewed which makes distinguishing between well-supported information and personal viewpoints challenging.  All it takes is a properly positioned cell phone angle from a viral video hopeful or an AI generated pic to get an audience and like a global pandemic the digital debate, “head-stories” and division amongst viewers begins– and there you have it, more and more “informed” opinions, like minions who take the bait and the division amongst gender, race, social norms, political polarizations and disparities grow…..and along with it goes common sense.  

Matthew 22:37-39 “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’

There is a reason that these commandments are considered the “greatest” and it is truly evident in the world around us that there is an absence of this type of love.  Be less of a minion and more of the change that the world needs!

Keep Your “Stupid” On A Leash

It’s hard to believe my goofy dog, Cliff, still gets to claim the ‘puppy’ card. He’s pushing 90 lbs and is only a little over a year old—his paws are practically snowshoes, and his body is diligently working quickly to catch up to their size.

Leash training has been an absolute joy with Cliff. And by “joy,” please note the heavy, dripping sarcasm that would make a jaded comedian proud: HE IS A MENACE! He’s easily one of the biggest and strongest labs we’ve ever owned, and again, he’s just a one-year-old.

He pulls like a freight train, his mighty paws sometimes losing traction as he chuff, chuff, chuffs, dragging his human workout partner along for a ride. It often feels less like a walk and more like trying to lasso a bull in full stride; your only real option is to hold on for dear life and pray you stay upright. This usually leads to unclasping the leash and allowing him to run free.

I know, I know. All you classical conditioning gurus out there are probably sighing so hard your lab coats are flapping. Go crazy on the leash, and eventually, we let you run free. Taught him a great lesson indeed. 

Now, “running free” is an entirely different kind of monster. Cliff doesn’t just trot politely by your side; he enters a blistering paced hyper-exploration mode, running non-stop circles to investigate every single scent, puddle, butt, field, brush, or forest in his line of sight.

Before you jump to conclusions—no, the title of this story is not referring to Cliff. The truth is, we all have an inner “Stupid” that constantly tries to be let off its leash. While it really should be kept in a high-security kennel at all times, the reality is that we all make “Stupid” mistakes, “Stupid” decisions, and “Stupid” statements and the list goes on and on…..

I believe the true mark of maturity isn’t that we finally stop doing dumb things (let’s be honest, we’re human; that’s not happening). Rather, it’s how we handle ourselves when our unleashed “Stupid” decides to go for a run.  

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you