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

Shore-ly You Can Walk On Water

In the 1980s, the dream of strapping on shoes and walking on water was alive or so it seemed. An invention emerged that promised this modern day miracle, but it was less a pair of “shoes” and more a set of “personal styrofoam rafts that required professional-level core strength” to navigate. Forget your imagined size 8-10, high-tech sneakers; these things were a comedic masterpiece of engineering (or lack thereof). 

Imagine if you can a modern stand-up paddleboard—the length, the width—then add two feet of thickness. Now double that (because you need a pair), make both of them entirely out of squeaky styrofoam, and slap a neoprene foot strap onto the top of each. You didn’t just wear them; you committed to them. The undersides featured several three-inch, perpendicular, louver-like slats. These were designed for “traction,” an extremely generous term for the resistance you felt as you attempted to “walk” on water in what amounted to two behemoth, yellow, banana boats strapped to your feet.

Mastering these buoyant behemoths was a high-stakes comedy of errors. Getting started required a stable dock or a shallow shoreline. The “skilled” user would gingerly slide one foot in, then the other, hoping for the best but typically resulting in the worst.

Falling in over your head was a guaranteed game over. Trying to reboard was like wrestling two greased dolphins; the slightest wobble and you were back in the drink and swimming to shore. Once upright (a miracle in itself), the actual act of moving was a pathetic, slow-motion trudge across the water.

The technique or trick of the trade was to keep your head down, eyes glued to the water’s surface, maintaining a laser-like focus on not falling over from the gentle breezes or the waves lapping under your feet. The moment you dared to glance up—perhaps to see if anyone was watching your graceful performance—you were toast. Many failed the task, their dignity only partially salvaged by the notches, nicks, dents and floating yellow styrofoam shavings leaving their successes and mostly failures marked in history.

With all “Water Shoes” antics and levity aside, the Bible talks about keeping your eyes on Christ and seeking Him first. We all know the story of Peter walking on water but the moment that he took his eyes off of Jesus he started to sink. This is an excellent parallel to how we can lose our focus by the challenges, distractions and numerous voices found in this world vs following and prioritizing one simple scripture in our lives, which will keep us safe, prepared and balanced for anything that is thrown our way.

Matthew 6:33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

Learn To Be Skillful

“Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like A Bee”…….Anyone familiar with boxing instantly recognizes this famous phrase by Muhammad Ali. Ali stands as one of the sport’s greatest, finishing his career with 56 wins (37 by knockout) and only 5 losses. He combined nimble footwork with incredible power. Crucially, Ali mastered defense, understanding the necessity of avoiding punches that could cause injury or a knockout. Simply put, his brilliance lay in evasion; in a sport where getting hit is a path to failure, he was a master of not getting in the way.

This philosophy mirrors life itself. We will inevitably face jabs and absorb a few punches; we will celebrate victories and, unfortunately, confront losses. The key is to learn and grow from each round of life’s experiences. We must master a good offense and develop a skillful defense which includes the art of evasion. You don’t step back into the ring after a defeat and use the same failed strategy; doing so will quickly leave you against the ropes. Instead, you learn, you grow, you prepare better for navigating or even avoiding future challenges so that you float by the punches like a butterfly or at times skillfully sting like a bee.

Holding Back vs Letting It Fly

Wisdom is frequently developed through memorable experiences that necessitate changed behavior. These powerful, experiential learning opportunities are often connected to uncomfortable situations, ensuring the required connection is made to modify or adjust one’s behaviors.

I recall, as a school administrator, an instance where a kindergartner was absent due to a simple digestive issue—an ailment older students could easily manage without taking the day off. The parents’ candid excuse provided a moment of levity (and a few laughs) but also a valuable correlation for a lifelong lesson: sometimes we grow so comfortable that we neglect the importance of demonstrating fundamental values and good character. This is immediately evident in modern society by the manner in which we have started to omit basic courtesies for one another. As a generation, we must actively restore a baseline of care and respect and avoid the complacency that allows common courtesy to erode. We also must learn when it is time to hold back versus expelling everything (from our mouths and social media) that comes to mind and return to providing each other grace regardless of our differences in opinions…..for we are all God’s creation living together on this rock.

The excuse, by the way? Never trust a fart.

Just A Bunch Of Nuts

A sudden blast, like a shotgun, shattered the silence of the night, crickets included. With my heart racing, my mind—and likely those of any neighbors—rushed to the extremes. Who is out there? Is this a threat? As the minutes ticked by, I spiraled through “what-ifs” and worst-case scenarios, debating the next steps.

Bang…..Bang! There it was again. Already pounding, my heart leaped as the sound seemed to draw closer and grow louder. Fear attempted to take hold, only to be instantly dissolved by my father’s voice outside the room: “You up? You hear those walnuts falling on the metal shed roof?” 

Perspective changes everything. When we allow alarm and fear to dictate our thoughts, we fall prey to misjudgment, poor decisions, and a loss of confidence. However, when you know who you are in Christ, your perspective shifts. If He is for you, nothing can stand against you,  Romans 8:31.

The Wrong Ingredient(s)

Most people can appreciate the simple pleasure of desserts like that of a warm pan of freshly baked brownies, but would you ever eat those brownies if someone added a tiny spec of dog poo into the batter? The answer is a resounding NO because the reality is even a tiny bit of the wrong ingredient can spoil something that was meant to be good. The same principle applies to your life: do not allow “specs” of toxic elements to spoil your potential. Ingredients, even in small amounts, such as destructive relationships, poor character decisions, or neglecting your spiritual walk with God can compromise the highest and best for your life, by subtly pulling you off course and without correction the “spec”grows.

Matthew 6:33  But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

Cycling App- Attention To Details

It’s easy to move too quickly and miss the details in life that matter most. We often encounter things that seem fine on the surface but end up leading us astray because we overlooked or misinterpreted the fine print. Take, for instance, a real-life story about an unnamed buddy of mine who purchased the “cycling” app which was actually designed for female health rather than a morning bike ride! While that mix-up was funny at the expense of a close (male) friend it also points to a great life lesson, and  highlights a deeper truth: we must evaluate everything thoroughly—from our jobs to our relationships—before moving forward. Remember to stay grounded in prayer and always put Christ at the center of your decision-making. Period!

Are We Losing Our Minds?

“Hey” Google, Alexa, Siri…..  There was a time when searching for answers required a little more depth than simply making a request from a digital assistant like Google, Amazon, Apple, or Samsung. As of March 2025, Google maintained the majority market share for searches, while AI platforms like ChatGPT are seeing growth in usage. Additional data from Google indicates that the average users are young adults and that three or more searches are conducted daily to acquire quick information and/or solutions related to health, technology, or general “how-to” guides.

Our reliance on single source information highways and AI driven media presents a new set of questions; Are we inadvertently seeking truth from a sole source? Does this centralization increase the potential for information to be inaccurate, lacking or leaving out important details, or skewed? How will this generation develop critical thinking skills?…..and most importantly, did you see my dog Cliff jump over the Empire State Building?

All levity aside, this shift is a huge leap with respect to media consumption trends in years past. Consider the evolution of television; previously, viewers consumed content as presented; not that all content was without character issues or boundaries being challenged with the growth of progressive segments but what you got is what you got, without any confusion as per what was considered reality. Over recent years, however, there’s an evident undertone in media using subtlety and illusion to embed new social norms that might not be universally acceptable. If these norms are continually placed in front of viewers, there is indeed a strong potential for new standards to be engrained due to a desensitizing effect, especially on young and impressionable minds. All of this raises a few vital questions: How do we help this generation develop unwavering character and an understanding of truth when society attempts to shift our moral compass through both direct influence and subtle exposure?  How will this generation know the difference between truth vs what was designed by AI and shared on social media or through the help of digital assistants and what impact will this have on the impressionable?

John 4: 1-2 Talks about not putting faith in everything as truth but checking things against the word of God. We can either be swayed by the ebbs and flows of everything around us or we can be rooted in the Character of Christ, which is unwavering and never failing by the truth found in the gospel.

Duck, Duck….Dog?……Disguising The Truth

Just because someone says it, doesn’t mean that it should be considered truth. In a social media world, there are far too many unsubstantiated opinions, viewpoints and perspectives that mask truth but are mere cunning and deceitful strategies to misguide, mislead and confuse this generation with division and hatred– leading to harm.

For levity, this popular pic of a Labrador with a “Birdie” over his snout has made its way across several social-media platforms, but it isn’t just a funny coincidence—it’s a masterclass in canine camouflage. A quick glance might be fooled by the silly badminton ”birdie” beak, but anyone who knows the breed sees right through the playful disguise. Labs are known for their friendly and smart demeanor, and for good reason—they consistently rank among the most popular beloved and loyal dogs. But this charm is a well-practiced distraction for a serious secret: they are, in fact, great bird dogs. To the blissful ignorance of any unsuspecting birds, that happy grin and those floppy ears is just a fluffy preamble to a deeply-ingrained instinct for flushing and retrieving waterfowl for the waiting hunter.

There is no disguising it, seeking God, who according to the scriptures is the way the truth and the life, will be the real turning point in our nation. Anything else is only masking the Truth which can only be found in Him.

Stand for God’s truth, run from the schemes of the devil and live courageously.