Ripple Effect-Cause a positive one!

Tecumseh Cove
Feb 4
3 min read

February 4, 2026

Leadership Notes

Sometimes, around mid-morning, I get to feeling a little peckish. Today, on top of that, I’m feeling a wee bit churlish. Let that be partly to blame for what is driving my attitude!

When the Bible talks about stupid or foolish people, it general doesn’t mean the truly intellectually deficient, but more often those who reject God, despise wisdom, refuse correction…following a path leading to sin and/or ruin. As I’ve mentioned before, too often our culture is beset by tutored idiots, or the willfully ignorant. Obtuse is another way to frame it. The Books of Proverbs and Psalms beautifully capture it.

Did you know that a Chinese millionaire, and member of the Community Party {how’s that for a mind-exploding oxymoron?} is funneling money into the groups organizing some of the protests we’re seeing in cities across America? Useful idiots appear alive-and-well in the good old U.S. of A!

Do you remember back in 2022 when a group of illegals were shipped to Martha’s Vineyard? They were summarily exited within 48 hours. Different times. Not sure there was much unrest over that.

Did you hear the story about the 8-year-old girl who tragically died while in U.S. Border Patrol custody? I don’t remember protests or marches like we’re seeing now. It happened in 2023 under the Biden administration.

The Obama administration was efficient and aggressive in deportations. Protests, marches, and demonstrations? Not many, to think of. I had no problems with those early actions. Still don’t. And interestingly, President Obama gave Tom Homan a Presidential Rank Award for his work with immigration and deportations. I don’t recall if much, or any, rabble or rousing went on during those years.

Does it seem like a lot of angry and/or unhappy people are being manipulated by and manipulating other angry and/or unhappy people? Money is flowing in and out of groups and organizations feeding off of such anger and unhappiness. There’s money to be made fomenting outrage.

Meanwhile, what are we doing? We are acting like hinged people. We’re worshiping God with joyful singing and praying and studying God’s Word. Which leads us to proclaim that He is good all the time. We take to heart the affirmation from Paul’s letter to the Philippians of rejoicing in the Lord always. In the simplest terms, we’re making our little corner of God’s world a place of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It’s a very Biblical way to live.

I love how we, to the best of our ability…with God’s help…maintain a non-anxious, non-angry, non-agitated presence in our lives. As I shared from Aldous Huxley from almost 100 years ago:

“There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of

improving, and that’s your own self.”

How’s that for a powerful message to grumblers? Before trying to change the world, we work on ourselves. By becoming better individuals…more disciplined…more aware…more responsible…we create a ripple effect that can positively influence everything around us.

After hoopla over the Grammy Awards the other night, me and my wife were trying to remember when the last time was that we watched an awards show of any kind. Has to be at least 30 years. I love how actor/ singer Clifton Duncan captures it:

“Imagine how much better society would be if entertainers

prioritized being first-rate artists over being third-rate activists.”

Sound advice, Mr. Duncan, sound advice.

Finally, here’s the prayer I shared Sunday morning from Bob Unanue, former President and CEO of Goya Foods:

FATHER GOD,

I PRAY THAT WHEN WE DRIFT, CALL US BACK.

WHEN WE RELY TOO MUCH ON OURSELVES, REMIND US WHERE

OUR STRENGTH TRULY COMES FROM.

BRING OUR HEARTS HOME TO YOU – TO TRUTH, HUMILITY, AND

FAITH.

STRIP AWAY THE NOISE AND HELP US REALIGN OUR LIVES WITH

WHAT MATTER MOST: YOU.