From the Capn's Pen

Quick Thought – Tuesday, January 20, 2026: Spot the Difference

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Read

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:5

Reflect

It may be hard to believe, but Sesame Street was popular even when I was a kid. One of the songs I remember has stayed with me all these years:

One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn’t belong.
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?

So, can you tell which thing doesn’t belong?

Wealth
Riches
Power
Poverty

Too easy? OK, how about this?

Kings
Queens
Thrones
Submissiveness

In our world, it’s usually not hard to spot what doesn’t belong. We’re trained to recognize power, success, and dominance—and to dismiss anything that looks like weakness or lack. But in God’s kingdom, our instincts often betray us.

Just read the Sermon on the Mount and you’ll see it clearly. Jesus says that the poor inherit God’s kingdom. He isn’t dismissing physical poverty, but He is pointing to something deeper: spiritual poverty. Knowing that, apart from God, we have nothing. When we recognize how empty we are in ourselves, we’re finally open to letting God take control.

The same is true of being “meek.” Biblical meekness isn’t weakness. It’s strength willingly placed under God’s authority. In our world, the aggressive and self-assertive tend to seize control. But Jesus says the ones who submit to Him—the meek—are the ones who will inherit the earth when He returns.

Trying to make sense of God’s kingdom using only human logic will almost always lead us to the wrong conclusions. But when we begin to see things through God’s eyes, His wisdom comes into focus. So when following God feels confusing, stop striving to make it make sense—and start praying for the humility to see through His lens.

Posted in Faith | Tagged Beatitudes, bible study, Christian reflection, control, countercultural faith, devotion, devotional, faith, God’s kingdom, humility, Matthew 5, meek, meekness, poor in spirit, Quick Thought, reflection, seeing through God’s eyes, Sermon on the Mount, spiritual growth, submit, wisdom | Leave a comment

What Makes a Good Leader? Watching Two of Them Taught Me More Than Any Book

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Daily writing prompt

What makes a good leader?

View all responses

It’s a good question—but it’s also an impossibly large one.

Libraries are filled with books on the subject. I’ve read leadership advice from John Maxwell, and biographies of leaders ranging from Abraham Lincoln to Robert E. Lee to Attila the Hun. Different eras. Different temperaments. Different moral legacies. All called “leaders,” and all studied for what they supposedly got right—or wrong.

If this were a question that could be effectively answered in a single blog post, people wouldn’t be filling entire volumes with their opinions about it.

So instead of pretending I can solve the question here, I can tell you what I saw.

I had two dads who led in very different arenas.

A portrait of the two men whose leadership shaped my understanding of what it means to lead well—through integrity, vision, care for people, and trust earned over time.

I worked for my stepdad twice—once at a ministry that trained churches in leadership, and later at a church where he served as priest-in-charge. He was exceptional at setting vision and mission, and he delegated better than anyone I’ve ever known. He surrounded himself with effective, capable people and then gave them room to succeed. He was committed to continual self-improvement, and that commitment quietly set the expectation that everyone around him should keep growing as well. Above all, he was a man of integrity, and that made it easy for people to follow him anywhere.

My dad was a newspaper publisher, and I worked for him during high school. Much of what he knew he learned from his own father—my grandfather, the kind of man people would do anything for. My grandfather could tear someone to shreds for poor performance, and they would apologize for disappointing him and promise to do better. And then they did.

My dad inherited that gravitational pull, but expressed it in his own way. He was a visionary who saw trends long before they arrived. He hired strong leaders to run his departments and worked closely with them to ensure they, in turn, hired strong people beneath them. He created a family environment where people genuinely loved coming to work. He scheduled regular celebrations—often around major holidays—so there was always something ahead to anticipate. And he rewarded his employees well, including offering outstanding benefits. Both of my dads did that, actually. People are often willing to work for less salary when they know they’re cared for.

Both men kept a finger on the pulse of their organizations and adjusted when they needed to. Both loved their employees, and their employees knew it. As a result, turnover was remarkably low.

I couldn’t reduce what made either of them good leaders to a tidy list. But I know this: people trusted them, grew under them, and stayed with them. And that may be as close to an answer as a short post like this can honestly get.

Posted in Daily Prompt, Random | Tagged dailyprompt, dailyprompt-1822, family, From the Cap’n’s Pen, influence, integrity, leadership, management, mentors, reflection, vision, work culture | Leave a comment

Quick Thought – Monday, January 19, 2026: The Importance of Your Path

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Read

John 8:12-20

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12

Reflect

Going camping?

Planning a power outage?

Stuck in your sins?

Try new “Jesus Brand Lanterns”! They light up even the darkest of days, and they’re guaranteed never to go out!

Better than “The Clapper.” Brighter than a thousand LEDs! And if you order now, we’ll throw in eternal life. (Just pay separate shipping and handling.)

Of course, this isn’t completely serious, but can you imagine if people today tried to market Jesus as a product? In some ways, they already do, and they’ve been doing it for more than a thousand years. Amazingly, they never learn the lesson that the words of Jesus and faith in Him and His teachings were enough.

In today’s scripture, Jesus is having yet another toe-to-toe confrontation with the Pharisees. He tells them that He is “the light of the world,” and that His light gets rid of spiritual darkness for those who follow Him. Notice, He doesn’t say that He’s “a light” or “one of the lights.” He is “THE light” of the world.

That’s a significant point. You’ll hear from some folks that “all paths lead to God” or that there’s “no difference between one religion or another. All that’s important is that you have faith in something.”

For those of us who have faith in Christ, that simply can’t be part of our beliefs. Jesus taught that He was the one and only true way and that the only way to God was through Him. There was no other path to follow and no other light to shine the way.

That’s not to say that we’re to say or do anything terrible toward someone who believes differently from us. If someone wants to follow another path, there’s nothing we can do about that except to share (with love) the truth as we know it. But the paths we choose are ultimately up to each person.

The path you choose today and each day is extremely important. Today, if you’re already following Jesus, thank Him for setting your feet on the road to Heaven, and ask Him to keep you walking in the right direction. If you’re not sure if you’re on that path, you might want to pray that the Lord shows you the right way to go.

Posted in Faith | Tagged bible study, darkness, devotion, direction, faith, light, path, Pharisees, Quick Thought, reflection, salvation, Steps to Peace | Leave a comment

College Football Playoff: National Championship Preview and Prediction

Posted on January 18, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

College Football Playoff National Championship
Monday, Jan. 19| 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, Fla.
No. 1 Indiana (15-0) vs. No. 10 Miami, Fla. (13-2)

Line: Indiana –8.5 | O/U: 47.5

The Setup

The 2026 CFP National Championship features one of the most improbable matchups in history: the undefeated No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers, seeking their first-ever title, against the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes, aiming for their sixth ring and first since 2001. Played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida—the Hurricanes’ home turf—this clash pits Indiana’s disciplined, takeaway-heavy style against Miami’s athletic, big-play offense. Expect a contrast of styles: Indiana’s ball-control efficiency and defensive havoc vs. Miami’s explosive passing and run game, with the game likely swinging on turnovers, red-zone execution, and special teams in the humid South Florida night. Kickoff is set for Monday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Indiana Hoosiers

Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers have scripted a fairy-tale season: from 6-7 in 2024 to 15-0, a Big Ten title, and dominant playoff wins over No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal (a 38-3 blowout, holding the Tide to 193 total yards and forcing 4 turnovers) and No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl semifinal (27-20, with 3 forced fumbles). Heisman Trophy winner QB Fernando Mendoza (3,500+ passing yards, 35 TDs, 6 INTs, 72.5% completion—top-5 national efficiency) embodies the team’s rise: a former Cal transfer who peaked late in recruiting, leading with poise, accuracy, and faith-driven character (organizes team Bible studies, credits daily Mass for focus, and has shared how it helped through being overlooked). WR Omar Cooper Jr. (804 yards, 11 TDs) and Elijah Sarratt (1,200+ yards, 12 TDs) form a dynamic duo, stretching fields and exploiting mismatches. RB Justice Ellison adds balance (1,100+ rushing yards, 5.2 ypc). The defense is elite: No. 1 nationally in takeaways (35+), top-5 in third-down stops (<30% allowed), and red-zone efficiency (allowed TDs on <45% of trips). All-Big Ten LB Aiden Fisher (100+ tackles, 4 INTs) anchors a unit that shut down Alabama’s run game (under 2 ypc) in the Rose Bowl. No major opt-outs keep Indiana at full strength, motivated to complete the perfect season and cement Cignetti’s legacy.

Miami Hurricanes

Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes (13-2) have revived “The U” swagger with upsets over No. 7 Texas A&M (10-3 first round) and No. 2 Ohio State (24-14 Cotton Bowl quarterfinal) before edging No. 6 Ole Miss (34-31 Fiesta Bowl semifinal). Transfer QB Carson Beck (3,512 passing yards, 26 TDs, 65.2% completion) has stabilized the offense with veteran poise (low INT rate), delivering clutch drives like the game-winner vs. OSU. Freshman sensation WR Malachi Toney (1,100+ all-purpose yards, 10 TDs) exploded in playoffs (two TDs vs. OSU), complementing a physical run game led by RB Mark Fletcher Jr. (1,028 rushing yards, 12 TDs; 100+ yards in Cotton Bowl). All-American DL Rueben Bain Jr. (12 sacks, disruptive force with 3 in Cotton Bowl) anchors a defense that’s found playoff gear (top-10 sacks, held OSU to 218 yards). The unit bends but doesn’t break (No. 8 red-zone efficiency), forcing negative plays. No significant opt-outs keep Miami intact, motivated to win a sixth title on home soil and silence doubters about their seeding.

Key Storylines

Fairy tale vs. resurgence — Indiana’s undefeated run (first title shot ever) vs. Miami’s “The U” revival (fifth playoff appearance, seeking sixth natty). The Hoosiers outscored playoff foes 65-23, showcasing balance; Miami grinded wins 68-58 combined, relying on defense (allowed 45 total points).
QB spotlight — Mendoza’s Heisman precision (top-5 efficiency, low INTs) vs. Beck’s veteran steadiness; Mendoza’s faith and character shine in pressure (5 games with 300+ yards/3+ TDs), but Beck’s experience (42 career starts) could keep Miami in it.
Defensive havoc — Indiana No. 1 in takeaways and third-down stops; Miami top-10 in sacks but vulnerable to balanced attacks (allowed 5+ ypc in losses). Bain Jr. vs. Indiana’s OL is must-watch.
Run game duel — Ellison’s consistency (5.2 ypc) vs. Fletcher Jr.’s explosiveness (long rush over 15.5 yards in playoffs—key prop bet); Indiana’s run D held Alabama under 2 ypc in the Rose blowout.
Bracket paths — Indiana dominated (easy side?); Miami survived upsets—coaches predict Hoosiers win but closer than expected.
Roster/motivation — No major opt-outs; Indiana chases perfection, Miami leverages “home” field (Hard Rock is their stadium).
Trends — Indiana 15-0 ATS as favorite; Miami +8.5 underdog (84% handle on IU). O/U 47.5—coaches see low-50s, but Miami props favor Fletcher’s runs.

The Pick

Indiana enters as favorites (~ -8.5 points) due to undefeated resume, defensive dominance, and Mendoza’s leadership. Miami’s defense matches well early, but the Hoosiers’ takeaways and ball control wear down the ‘Canes late—Mendoza’s heart, talent, and faith shine in a storybook finish.

Prediction: Indiana 38, Miami 17.

Posted in Sports | Tagged CFP, college football, College Football Playoff, Hard Rock Stadium, Hoosiers, Hurricanes, Indiana, Indiana Hoosiers, Miami, Miami Hurricanes, National Championship | Leave a comment

The Sunday Pour: The Angel’s Share (Revisited)

Posted on January 18, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

What we lose along the way is part of the process.

In August, I wrote about the Angel’s Share as loss — what disappears quietly while no one is watching. The portion that vanishes into the air as whiskey rests in the barrel. The part you never get back.

Today, I’m thinking about it differently.

Because evaporation isn’t theft. It’s transformation.

The Angel’s Share is the cost of patience. Whiskey doesn’t improve despite the loss — it improves because of it. Time pulls something away, yes, but what remains grows deeper, more concentrated, more itself. Nothing great comes without surrendering something along the way.

That idea lands differently now than it did five months ago.

Back then, the focus was on what was missing. On the ache of absence. On naming the cost. Loss does that to us — it demands attention. It wants to be felt fully, and it should be.

But distance has a way of changing the flavor.

What I’m beginning to understand is that loss isn’t just subtraction. It’s refinement. It narrows the field. It burns away excess. It leaves behind what can last.

There’s a theological word for this kind of surrender: kenosis. It means emptying. Scripture uses it to describe Christ — not clinging to fullness, but willingly pouring Himself out for the sake of something greater.

“Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant…”
— Philippians 2:6–7 (ESV)

Not loss imposed, but loss chosen. Not weakness, but purpose.

I used to think faith was about what God added to my life — clarity, blessing, direction. Lately, it feels more like subtraction. And strangely, that subtraction feels necessary. What’s being emptied isn’t the good. It’s the excess. The illusion that I could carry everything and still be whole.

I see it in my life more clearly now. In relationships that didn’t survive but shaped me. In versions of myself I had to outgrow. In ambitions that faded so better ones could come into focus. Even in aging itself — less energy, perhaps, but more discernment. Less noise. Better ears.

I used to believe loss meant failure. Now I’m starting to believe it means concentration.

Barrels don’t complain when the angels take their share. They keep doing what they were designed to do — hold, wait, endure. And in the waiting, something remarkable happens.

What remains matters more.

Nothing good comes without a cost. Not whiskey. Not love. Not faith. Not a life well lived. And sometimes, what we lose is the very thing that allows what stays to finally become something worth savoring.

I wrote about this once when the loss was still fresh. This time, I’m tasting what it produced.

The Angels don’t just take. They make room.

Posted in Bourbon, Faith | Tagged Aging Well, bourbon metaphor, Cost of Discipleship, Emptying, Faith and Reflection, Faith and Time, From the Capn’s Pen, Kenosis, Philippians 2, Refinement, reflection, Spiritual Formation, Sunday Pour, Surrender, The Sunday Pour, What Remains, Whiskey and Reflection | Leave a comment

Semantic Whiplash: When Words Change Faster Than Meaning

Posted on January 18, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Daily writing prompt

If you could un-invent something, what would it be?

View all responses

If I could un-invent something, it would be semantic whiplash.

Before I go any further, I should admit something: I’m inventing a phrase for the very thing I wish didn’t exist. There’s a certain irony in that, but it feels unavoidable. Sometimes the only way to point at a problem is to name it—even if the name has to be new.

Semantic whiplash (noun):
the sudden and forceful reassignment of a word’s meaning—often driven by mass or viral usage—occurring so rapidly that shared understanding cannot adjust.

This isn’t semantic drift. Drift takes time. Drift allows meaning to stretch, settle, and be negotiated across generations. Semantic whiplash happens at speed. A word is pulled out of its original context, repurposed for how it feels rather than what it means, and redeployed with absolute confidence by Monday morning.

Demure didn’t drift. It was whiplashed.

That’s what galls me.

Language works because of a quiet agreement between speaker and listener that words still point to something solid. When meanings are reassigned overnight, precision becomes optional and certainty replaces comprehension. The problem isn’t that language changes—it’s that it changes so fast there’s no time to ask whether the new meaning actually fits.

Every time this happens, I think of Weird Al Yankovic’s “Word Crimes.” On the surface, it’s just a funny song with dancing punctuation and smug grammar jokes. But underneath the humor is a serious idea: words matter, and misusing them isn’t rebellion or creativity—it’s carelessness. The joke works because the rules still exist.

Semantic whiplash skips the joke and ignores the rules entirely.

I don’t object to language evolving. It always has, and it always will. What I’d happily un-invent is the velocity—the idea that meaning can be bent instantly, socially enforced, and treated as settled fact before anyone has time to turn their head.

If I could un-invent anything, it wouldn’t be a word.
It would be semantic whiplash—the habit of moving language faster than thought and calling it evolution.

Posted in Daily Prompt, Random | Tagged culture, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-1821, journalism, language, media literacy, Semantics, sunday reflection, Weird Al, Words Matter, writing | Leave a comment