Tag: #faith

Mowing The Lawn; An Artwork or a Task?

For some, it is merely a chore, but for others, mowing the lawn is a work of art. Beautiful patterns of finely cut lines that even Claude Monet could appreciate and the world’s best greens-keepers would hope to model.

Those who master this skill know that it requires more than just practice. While practice is critical for success, true excellence also demands an unwavering desire for perfection and meticulous attention to detail.

This type of excellence also applies to your faith and walk with Christ. No this does not mean that you have arrived or for that matter will ever arrive to perfection– Not even close. It means that you bring your very best with the knowledge and skill that you have developed to this point and continue to develop over a lifetime. You can take-in all the word of God and prayer that you want but you also have to put that knowledge into action. If the mower only had knowledge and skill but lacked any standard for excellence then the skill was never brought to its fullest which would be evident in his work. Work hard, develop your faith and seek excellence in all that you do.

Billieve……Hope, Faith and a Guaranteed Victory

Nobody truly understands hope, faith & perseverance like that of a Buffalo Bills fan. Through decades of highs, lows, and stinging disappointments—most notably the four consecutive Super Bowl appearances that began with “wide right” and then there’s the Chiefs—yet the faithful “Bills Mafia” remains unwavering. They brave Western New York’s punishing winters, packing the open stadium with a collective belief that outlasts any storm and despite the season’s outcome their rally cries continue throughout the years, not built on blind optimism or any guarantees but a united declaration of an unshakeable faith that our victory is ahead.

Imagine a guaranteed victory, secured not by temporary means but by an eternal hope where fleeting chances, wide rights and 13 seconds wouldn’t matter. Just a few sincere words from a believing heart and the victory is yours. In the words of Damar Hamlin at the NFL Honors, “God’s plan was to have a greater purpose than any game in this world.” That purpose is there for anyone who is willing to grab ahold of it and it all begins with hope and faith in God.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Go Bills!

Koenigsegg…..How Do You Say That????

It’s not an easy name to pronounce accurately especially if you don’t know the origin or history but regardless of your knowledge, the fact still stands that a Koenigsegg or Koenigsegg Automotive is a Swedish manufacturer of high performance super cars (mega cars); derived from a 22 year-old visionary named Christian Von Koenigsegg in 1994 with the goal of building the greatest super sports cars the world has ever seen. With roughly 255 Koenigsegg’s worldwide at a price between 1.7 and 2.8 million the likelihood of coming across one of these unparalleled carbon fiber masterpieces is slim but regardless the fact remains…..they exist….and they stand by their philosophy of no compromise.

This hand-crafted rarity of a driving machine is a great parallel for a world that tends to deny the existence of God or lacks the knowledge of the masterpiece that He created in each one of us and the saving grace that comes only through Jesus. This grace unlike that of an elusive super car is not a rarity but available to all who seek Him. One day we will all stand before Him to give an account and in that very moment will He know our name?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Love Tested …..By A Shopping Cart???

There is nothing more thrilling than grocery shopping day, a truth that carries a heavy, sarcastic undertone. Unless, of course, grocery shopping is genuinely your thing, in which case, God bless you. The weekly routine is a well-practiced rhythm, an almost robotic journey up and down the aisles. That is, until the store decides to relocate a single, crucial item without warning. And—without a corresponding map or a free supply of rations for the hunt. You might think common sense would prevail, but then again, why wouldn’t the larger bottles of sriracha be in the international aisle while the smaller ones remain with the hot sauce? At that moment, as you are still contemplating this existential grocery-store mystery, with only 3 out of the 20 items on your list acquired and nearing 45 minutes into your shopping, a cart rolls over the back of your heel…………Twice.

1 Cor 13: 4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Don’t Be The Fast Food Wrapper Left In A Shiny Car

There are many car enthusiasts out there who have a great appreciation for automobiles. Fast cars, classics, super cars and muscle cars. There is something so awesome about the sleek lines of a super-car or the throaty sound of a classic muscle car. Their owners understand the importance of up-keep, tuning and routine maintenance. There is a sense of pride that is immediately evident by a fresh coat of wax on the exterior and well manicured interior. You never find fast food wrappers on the floor or for that matter dust on the dash. Both would ruin the car’s luster and lower the standard. There are even automobile shows where they use undercarriage mirrors placed on the ground so that you can see if the standard extends beyond the readily visible areas and into those areas that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Work hard to set this same pattern for your life where ALL things are held to the highest standard of Christ-like character in both public and in private. Be less like a fast food wrapper and more like a Shiny Car.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

Was I Created With Purpose?

More than just a spectacle of engineering, this framework of iron beams and lateral steel supports stands steadfast against the backdrop of vibrant fall foliage. The structure’s captivating appearance is built to maintain uncompromising integrity, distributing the weight of its load and withstanding external forces. It is a stunning display of functional design, where robust construction, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal work in harmony— and this is a structure built by man. Think for a moment about how God created you. You were uniquely and skillfully designed with purpose which includes your mind, abilities, skills, talents and characteristics.

Psalm 139:13 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, and skillfully formed………

Psalm 139: 14 You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Be Less of a Jerk & More Like Jerky!

Its origins trace back much further than the 1800s with the descendants of the Inca Empire in South America, who pioneered “ch’arki” as early as the 1500s. Centuries later, this ancient innovation has given rise to a booming market, with the U.S. alone valued at $5.31 billion in 2024.

The success of this seemingly simple savory snack offers some powerful insights. Profitable brands master a few core principles: they use quality ingredients, maintain unwavering consistency, and craft a final product that is both tasteful and appealing.

By applying this model to our lives, we can inspire a similar kind of positive transformation to this generation. 1) Our “ingredients” should be the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 2) We must be consistent and unwavering in our faith in God, just as a proven recipe remains true over time. 3) Our actions should be tasteful, demonstrating the appealing and transformative character of Christ in all that we do.

Be more like jerky and less of a jerk!

The Allegheny And Life. “By Failing to Prepare, You Are Preparing to Fail” —Benjamin Franklin

Kayaking in the Allegheny River is one of the most beautiful pastimes that I have learned to appreciate over the years. At low levels it can be breathtaking to slowly paddle these waters past the small islands, inlets and steep pine-covered embankments formed by the mountains and carved by the river. It is a majestic sight that is accented only by the powerful splendor of bald eagles, stoic herons and the trickling sound of water rolling over a shallow rock-bed. But when this river goes well-beyond normal levels it can be treacherous and riddled with overhanging limbs, stringers and floating debris while just below the surface underwater hazards, jagged rocks and hidden water patterns. In these situations skilled kayakers understand the importance of keeping the nose of the craft facing down stream at all times because getting side-ways would only elevate the danger with serious potential for calamity.

There are things in life that we can learn from these rough waters. We all experience times in life where the evidence of danger is clear (like limbs and logs) and in this case you need to immediately change your course. But we also face hidden dangers (like rocks, under-toe and dead-heads) that are not as easily spotted but can overturn, snag and pull you under. Stay alert by putting your trust in the Lord, so that you can navigate each potential danger with strength, skill and accuracy until reaching safety at the shoreline. Any other approach would leave you unprepared and complacent, thinking that you alone can take on the challenges of this world by lifting your paddle and letting the river simply carry you to and fro in any direction.

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6

Why Carry Things That We Shouldn’t?

Life presents us with many opportunities to carry burdens that we were never designed to carry; a generation appearing as empty shells, masking the struggles that lie hidden inside. Yet, outward appearances as seen through the lens of social media posts, Hollywood or professional athletes can be deceiving, unlike those of this silly Schnoodle (Schnauzer & Poodle) who offers us some levity. Her mangy beard, filled with leaves from the yard, does nothing to dampen her confidence as she stands, just as she is, unphased, unwavering, without-a-worry, expectantly at the door……

Guard your heart from those things that attempt to weigh you down, while casting your cares confidently on Christ who will hold you up. 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

What’s A STUDSHAKER???

In February 1852, two brothers began making horse-drawn wagons and buggies in South Bend, Indiana. They eventually transitioned to building automobiles, including electric and gas-powered vehicles. Nearly 160 years later my family attended an auto show in Western New York State where we experienced one of those vehicles for the very first time. Its shiny red paint, clean lines, and chrome trim, reflecting the sun and highlighting its recently waxed exterior, caught the attention of many onlookers. While exploring the car’s meticulous craftsmanship, its make, year, and model remained unknown to one particular admirer who stated confidently and loudly, “What’s a “Studshaker!”

The Studebaker or on that particular day the “Studshaker” gave us some good laughs and now memories at the expense of that “Car Enthusiast.” There was also a great lesson derived from this amusing display that underscored the importance of focus, reminding us to stay attentive to details and resist distractions that might blind us to our purpose where impulsive decisions and statements can lead to unpleasant outcomes that are not always laughable.

James 1:19 Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]