Immediately my home came to mind. Am I vigilant in protecting the freedom of my wife and four kids? Do I continually serve fruits of the Spirit so they can have the freedom, and freedom more abundantly, that Jesus has promised them in my care? Do they feel as free with me as I do with the LORD? Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Self-control.

“I’d rather be dead than not live that life.” Me, working as a nurse, 2007 Here’s to peace of mind and heart and easy Saturday afternoons in the greatest land God ever touched (so far) 🍻🥂 Lose your life for me, and you will find it. The King #hardnoweasylater #wasntalwayslikethis #werich John Gooden. Main card promo. just said “always” as I typed it 😎 UFC fight night O2 Arena London Leon Edwards v Sean Brady

Introduction: The Box as a Tool for Freedom Most of us talk about "putting people in their place" when what we should be doing—if we are to stay in our peace, walk in our power, and love those who may be difficult to love—is putting them not in their place, but in their box. Lemme explain… Some relationships require clear boundaries to prevent repeated harm. But if we only focus on self-protection, we risk turning The Box into a fortress rather than a tool for true relational clarity and freedom. The Box Method ensures both offense and defense, allowing us to set wise, loving containment for others while maintaining our own peace and power. Why ‘The Box’? People say you shouldn’t put others in a box. I say, if you want peace in your life, you better put them in their right one. - If you don’t put people in their box, they’ll put you in theirs. - Freedom isn’t letting people run wild—it’s allowing them freedom to be who they are within the boundaries you set for your life, based on what they've proven they can handle without hurting you or others. - We know most people don’t think outside the box, or we wouldn’t have to tell them to do it so often. Boxes are not about judgment. They are about clarity—acknowledging who people are, how they behave, and how we engage with them without resentment or unrealistic expectations. How The Box Works: A 4-Step Framework Recognize & Accept (Reality Without Judgment) - Who is this person really? (Not who I wish they were.) - What are their consistent behaviors, not just isolated moments? - What are they actually capable of giving? (Emotional maturity, reliability, respect, etc.) Key Mindset Shift: You are not here to change them. The first step is acceptance. Define the Box (Clear Boundaries & Expectations) - "They can move freely inside here, but they can’t break the walls." - Think of ER restraints: soft, leather, or chemical—not punishment, but protection. - The size of the box is based on who they’ve shown themselves to be, not who you hope they’ll become. As the saying goes, "Once someone shows you who they are...believe them ;)"

I recently went on a trip to RI to snowboard with my cousin and his son. Both who have turned to me for guidance as of late. My cousin who is going through more than he realizes with a new baby on the way and a fiance who he has fallen out of love with, (and she with him) as well as his son who is working to find his identity in life while searching for validation that he is working towards being "successful" all the while making mistakes (got caught vaping) along the way..... I set out to bring the holy spirit to the both of them and share what I have learned through similar issues and obstacles. None of this was explicitly stated, but was definitely understood by the three of us. I set out to let God work through me to solve all their problems. A trip for camaraderie, enlightenment and an introduction to holy spirit as the solution during times of trial. A spiritual campaign. Straight off the plane, 10pm, I am listening and absorbing all the issues. Listening to the venting, being empathetic and dissecting all the nuances of the "issues" well into the 1am hour. I was happy to be the sounding board...This continued in the morning but this time with more dialogue back and forth, testimony and advice. I didn't have to force anything, it all poured out like a shaken soda bottle thats top was removed. A true heart to heart full of energy and love. My perspective and advice was met with acceptance, push back and skepticism. A solid mixed bag, but nothing out of the norm. But after enough time eventually we started to go in circles and beat the proverbial dead horse. Half way through the day I realized the only way these issues could be resolved was through God. There was nothing I could do. So I expressed this, that these issues all boiled down to spiritual issues. This diagnosis was met with push back, that of which I was not prepared or equipped with the proper tools necessary to take on the task.....Slightly defeated, but very understandingly I deferred my ambition and decided to let the trip be the trip.

Life can be so weird. It’s 2:28pm. Saturday the 14th of December, 2024. We are celebrating our 23rd at the Hyatt Regency, on Clearwater Beach. Nikki arranged it and surprised me. Very nice. 23 years, not counting divorce time. I’ve already written some so I’ll just mention this thing I just noticed. I came to the eighth floor deck with pool and cantina (bar). Noticing the glass a concrete wall as the edge of the roof, I headed over. I’m sitting at a table next to it now, with my shoes off and feet up on a chair. I was just leaning over the rail on my elbows, looking at the street below, the breaking shoreline and all the northerners running around wet and near naked. Brrr. I’m in my puffer jacket and at 72 and sunny, I’m happy about it. I think, “man, it’d be nice if Nik was here seeing this, being here at the pool bar. But she’s sleeping. Wait, this was the scene on our honeymoon, 23 years ago. She was in the room. Sleeping. I went to the beach.” She took a nap and I went to the beach side tiki bar. I drank until I threw up between my own legs, straight onto the tiled floor below. The splattering of chair legs in the area took it to another level. I distinctly remember the sixty-ish sharp looking couple in their polo shirts and Tommy Bahama khakis sort of peering over at me. With all the splashing and such, I don’t blame them for wiggling their butts, in attempt to scoot their chairs over without being rude by getting up entirely. That was the story I started telling myself as tried to glance at them to my right, but my head was bobbing for apples between my knees, beneath the bar ledge. It was rough. I had been supremely enjoying the Mexican beach views right up to that point. When Nik eventually came down, she found me in recovery mode, sitting there quite humbly. Now, I wonder if she’s gonna join me here. I’d bet not. Wouldn’t be surprised if she did. I wonder is she’d bet on me having a drink down here. Wouldn’t be surprised if she did. This time, she’d be wrong.