Pete.x

Striving to walk by faith toward what is good and true, while avoiding evil, and the steady stream of lies, as much as is possible.

[Lyn Alden @LynAldenContact]

Still true btw.

[Pete.x @PeteScorum]

@KerryGoode Amen!

[Kerry Goode @KerryGoode]

When Comparison Steals Your Joy

I used to compare my football career—with all its disappointments—to the careers of players who seemed to have everything I wanted.

I watched other men play season after season without major injuries, and I would be lying if I said I was never jealous. I wondered what my numbers might have looked like, how long I could have played, and how far my career might have gone if my knees had simply held up.

Six knee surgeries changed my career, but they never changed the competitor inside me.

For years, comparison made me focus more on what I lost than on what I had accomplished. It made another man’s success feel like evidence of my failure. But God had to teach me that He never asked me to duplicate someone else’s football career. He asked me to be faithful with the ability, opportunities, and time He gave me.

The Bible says:

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” — Galatians 6:4

Some careers are measured by statistics. Mine must also be measured by surgeries, setbacks, sacrifice, and the number of times I refused to quit.

My football career was interrupted, but my impact was not.

The injuries may have shortened my time on the field, but they did not cancel my purpose. The game taught me discipline, leadership, toughness, and perseverance. Those lessons continued shaping my life long after the uniform came off.

Comparison becomes dangerous when we use someone else’s blessings to question our own worth. We look at their healthy body, longer career, bigger platform, or greater success and assume God forgot us.

But your journey was never supposed to look exactly like theirs.

God can use an injury, a setback, or an unexpected ending to lead you into a purpose you never would have discovered otherwise. What feels like an interruption may become preparation for your greatest impact.

I have learned to celebrate what others achieved without allowing their success to erase my gratitude.

Do not spend your life looking sideways and miss what God is doing directly in front of you.

Your story may contain scars that someone else’s does not. That does not make your story less valuable. Sometimes the scars are the very proof that you kept fighting.

[Kerry Goode @KerryGoode]

Two Eyes, Two Ears, Two Nostrils—and Only One Mouth

Dearest Readers,

This is Lord Blow the Whistle, and I have arrived with a matter most delicate, most divine, and most necessary for the hurried souls of this world. The Good Lord does not make mistakes, and He certainly was not running short on supplies when He created us.

Have you ever stopped to wonder why God gave us two eyes, two ears, and two nostrils, but only one mouth? I believe there is a powerful lesson hidden within the very design of our bodies. And child, that was no accident. Heaven does not waste symmetry.

Perhaps that was heaven’s gentle way of saying, “Before you speak, look around, listen carefully, breathe deeply—and then decide whether what you are about to say is even necessary.”

We have two eyes so we can see more than one side of a situation. Two eyes give us depth, perspective, balance, and a wider view of the beauty placed before us. Yet too often, we become so busy talking about what is wrong that we fail to notice what is still right. We overlook the sunrise, the smile of someone who loves us, and the blessings standing quietly in the background.

We have two ears because we should listen at least twice as much as we speak. Listening allows us to hear more than words. We begin to hear pain hiding behind laughter, fear disguised as anger, and loneliness buried underneath “I’m fine.” Everybody does not need our advice. Sometimes they simply need to know that somebody truly heard them.

Then God gave us two nostrils. Breathing through two nostrils calms the heart, steadies the mind, and resets the spirit. God gave us two so we would pause, inhale, and come up for air—especially when conversations grow heated or heavy. Sometimes the next breath is more valuable than the next sentence.

As many of you know, ALS has taken away my ability to speak. Most people would see that as a loss. In some ways it is. But it has also given me gifts I never expected.

I see more than I ever saw.

I hear more than I ever heard.

I notice scents, sounds, emotions, and details that once escaped me.

People often say that when one sense is lost, the others become sharper. I can tell you that is true. But here's an even greater truth: you do not need ALS to experience what I have experienced. Anyone can sharpen their senses by simply talking less and paying attention more.

The less I speak, the more I notice God.

The less I speak, the more I understand people.

The less I speak, the richer life becomes.

And that, dear readers, is why heaven gave us only one mouth.

Lord Blow the Whistle has spoken—ironically, without saying a word.

[Pete.x @PeteScorum]

@BitSongOfficial I have two projects that are still in the planning stage, I hope to leverage BitSong for both. I was pleasantly suprised when the Podcast site opened, that creates more opportunities for sure.

[Pete.x @PeteScorum]

Long time Bitcoiners often assume that when they make the statement "There are only 21 million Bitcoin" that everyone understands that those 21 million whole coins will divide into 2.1 quadrillion Satoshi's. But, many have no idea, thus to them owning Bitcoin is out of reach. @sircryptotips @blockchainchick

[Pete.x @PeteScorum]

@coachdeuce2015 😂

[Pete.x @PeteScorum]

@learningcrypto Centralization always leads to eventual failure, it is inevitable. Decentralization can only fail if captured and centralized, or if replaced by a better decentralized system.

[Kerry Goode @KerryGoode]

Navigating Life's Storms

In our fight with ALS, my wife Tanja and I have faced so many storms that sometimes it's hard to believe I'm still alive. Yet here I am. That reminds me of something we all need to hear.

You've survived every storm life has thrown at you up to this point... and you're still here.

So don't let a few raindrops make you come unglued.

Life has a way of making every problem feel like the end of the world, but not every dark cloud is a hurricane. Some are simply preparing you for brighter days ahead.

There are three kinds of storms we all face.

First, there are perfecting storms. These are the trials, tribulations, hardships, and disappointments that make us stronger as we endure them. They stretch our faith, build our character, and teach us to depend on God instead of ourselves.

"The storm didn't come to destroy your faith. It came to develop it."

James 1 reminds us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. The very thing you wish would disappear may be the very thing God is using to prepare you for what comes next.

Second, there are protecting storms. Sometimes God allows a storm to keep us from something worse that we cannot see. We may wonder why the door closed, why the plans changed, or why we were delayed. Later we realize God's "no" was actually His protection.

"God's greatest protection often arrives disguised as life's greatest disappointment."

Finally, there are correcting storms. These are the storms we bring upon ourselves through poor choices, pride, impatience, or disobedience. But here's the wonderful news: God doesn't abandon us in those storms. Just as a loving father disciplines the child he loves, God lovingly corrects us so we can become who He created us to be.

"God doesn't send correction to condemn you. He sends it to redirect you toward your purpose."

No matter what kind of storm you're facing, remember this: storms don't last forever, but what they produce can last a lifetime.

So hold on to your faith when the winds are howling. Stand firm when the rain won't stop. Trust God when you cannot see the shoreline.

Because every storm has an expiration date, and every child of God has a promise.

If you stay strong through life's storms, you'll discover that the winds meant to shake you only strengthened your foundation. One day you'll look back, not amazed by the size of the storm, but by the greatness of the God who carried you through it. And when someone else is caught in their own storm, your story will become the lighthouse that leads them safely home.

[Kerry Goode @KerryGoode]

People ask me why teaching others never to quit matters so much. The answer is simple: every single day, we are handed a hundred chances to give up. A hundred exits. A hundred excuses. And if you don’t know who you are, you’ll take one of them.

I grew up in a house where quitting wasn’t just discouraged — it was not allowed. One of my brothers quit basketball once. My dad came home early, saw him sitting there when he should’ve been at practice, and asked why he was home. When my brother said he quit, my dad didn’t yell. He didn’t lecture. He drove him straight to the gym, made him apologize to the coach and the team, and told the coach my brother would accept any punishment needed to earn his way back.

The message was loud and clear: If you start something, you finish it. You don’t have to play forever, but you don’t get to quit because it’s hard, inconvenient, or uncomfortable.

I raised my kids the same way. The lesson wasn’t about sports — it was about character.

When I was being recruited by Alabama, Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant sent me a letter every week. I loved his quotes because they matched exactly what I was being taught at home. One of them grabbed me and never let go:

“Never quit. It is the easiest cop‑out in the world.”

And the one I use all the time:

“The first time you quit, it’s hard. The second time, it gets easier. The third time, you don’t even have to think about it.”

That’s truth. Quitting becomes a habit. So does finishing.

Coach Bryant also said, “I’ll never give up on a player as long as he never gives up on himself.” That one sits deep with me, especially now. Because I’m never giving up on myself.

I didn’t try out for ALS. I didn’t sign up for this team. But I’m on it. And whether I like it or not, people are watching me. They’re watching how I fight, how I respond, how I lead. I’ve been a captain on nearly every team I’ve ever played on — that doesn’t stop because I have ALS.

The Bible speaks directly to moments when quitting feels easier than continuing:

Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” James 1:12 — “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial.” Hebrews 12:1 — “Run with endurance the race set before you.”

Endurance is not about speed. It’s about direction. It’s about refusing to bow to the pressure of the moment.

So why do I teach people not to quit? Because life will test you. Because quitting gets easier. Because finishing builds strength. Because someone is watching you who needs your example. Because God honors perseverance.

And because I’m still here — still fighting — still leading — still refusing to quit.

[Kerry Goode @KerryGoode]

When Fear Feels Bigger Than Faith

There are moments in life when what should be simple becomes overwhelming. The room may be quiet, the instructions may be clear, and everybody may tell you there is nothing to worry about. But inside, your heart starts racing, your mind starts talking, and fear begins acting like it owns the building.

I have learned that fear does not always show up because we are weak. Sometimes fear shows up because we are human. It shows up when we feel trapped, watched, exposed, uncomfortable, uncertain, or out of control.

But here is the good news. God does not shame us for having anxious moments. He meets us in them.

The Bible says in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee.” That does not mean fear will never knock on the door. It means fear does not get the final word when God is in the room.

I have been through situations where I had to trust God while my body was failing, my questions were unanswered, and my future felt uncertain. I have had to learn that courage is not always standing tall with a smile. Sometimes courage is admitting, “Lord, I cannot handle this by myself.”

And that is when grace steps in.

Some days, faith looks bold. Other days, faith looks like taking one breath, saying one prayer, and trying again tomorrow.

Do not beat yourself up because something overwhelmed you. Do not let one hard moment convince you that you failed. God is not finished with you because you got scared. He is still holding you, teaching you, strengthening you, and reminding you that His peace is greater than your panic.

Philippians 4:7 says the peace of God will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.

So when life feels like too much, remember this. You are not crazy. You are not alone. You are not disqualified.

You are human.

And God is still faithful.

Sometimes the victory is not that you stayed calm.

Sometimes the victory is that you still know where to run when fear shows up.

[Kerry Goode @KerryGoode]

When Love Looks Too Big

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

There are seasons in life when God sends blessings that do not come in the package we expected. Sometimes they arrive oversized, uncomfortable, inconvenient, or even a little intimidating. At first glance, we may wonder, “What am I supposed to do with this?”

Living with ALS has taught me that God's provision does not always fit neatly into my plans. Sometimes what He provides feels larger than my ability, greater than my need, or beyond my understanding. Yet when I pause and look closer, I realize that behind every gift is the heart of someone who loves me, and behind every act of love is the hand of God.

The enemy wants us focused on what doesn't fit. God wants us focused on the love that sent it.

There are days when we feel small, weak, and swallowed up by the challenges we face. Illness, loss, disappointment, and uncertainty can make us feel insignificant. But our size has never determined God's ability to use us. In fact, Scripture reminds us that His strength shines brightest when ours runs out.

I've learned that one of God's greatest gifts is the people He places beside us. Friends who pray when we're tired. Friends who give when they don't have to. Friends who make us laugh when crying would be easier. Those relationships are reminders that we were never meant to fight our battles alone.

In every struggle, look beyond the circumstance and search for the love hidden within it. You may discover that what seemed awkward at first was actually evidence of God's faithfulness all along.

Today, thank God for the people who show up, the blessings that arrive in unexpected packages, and the grace that carries you when you cannot carry yourself.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the people You place in our lives and for the unexpected ways You provide for us. Help us to see Your love behind every blessing and Your purpose behind every challenge. When we feel weak, remind us that Your strength is enough. Help us laugh often, love deeply, and trust You completely. In Jesus' name, Amen.

[Kerry Goode @KerryGoode]

175 Pounds of Can't-Quit

Life will change you whether you give it permission or not.

Change has a way of introducing itself without knocking. One day you're standing strong at 225 pounds of muscle, calling yourself a piece of twisted steel and sex appeal. The next day, life hands you something you never asked for. Health changes. Circumstances change. The reflection in the mirror changes.

Sometimes people see the change before they see the person.

A relative came to visit me recently. I hadn’t seen them in over a year. They walked through the door, took one look at me, and the first thing out of their mouth in a shocked tone was, “You’ve lost weight!”

As if I did not already know.

As if I do not see myself every day. I wanted to say, “Thank you for the breaking news. I know I look like a crackhead with a trach.”

But they meant no harm, nevertheless those words landed hard because they didn’t know the story behind the weight. They didn’t know the nights I fought pneumonia like it was a final drive. They didn't know how many times I wondered if I had anything left in the tank, only to discover there was still another round of fight inside me. They didn’t know the strength it took just to still be here.

Yes, I've lost weight.

I once carried 215 pounds on my frame. I reached 225 pounds of solid muscle. Today I'm 175 pounds—the same weight I was as a freshman at the University of Alabama.

But here's what people miss.

I am tougher than that freshman ever dreamed he would have to be.

That freshman was named SEC Freshman of the Year. He could run, lift, compete, and dominate. But he had no idea what real adversity looked like. He had never been tested by disease. He had never been stripped down and forced to discover who he was without the muscles, the size, or the appearance.

Back then, 175 pounds was potential.

Now, 175 pounds is proof.

Proof that muscle is not the only measurement of strength. Proof that life can strip you down and still not take your spirit.

The scale tells you what I weigh. It doesn't tell you what I've survived.

Every scar has a story. Every setback has a lesson. Every challenge has revealed strength I didn't know I possessed.

So while others may see 175 pounds, I see something different.

I see 175 Pounds of Can't-Quit.

I see No Muscle, All Miracle.

I see Not Much Meat, Still Elite.

I see Slim Steel and Holy Appeal.

I see 175 Pounds of Surviving Thunder.

Those aren't just nicknames. They're battle cries.

Because when life changes your body, your health, your plans, or your future, you need something to remind you who you are when everything else is being taken away.

My battle cry reminds me that I'm still here.

Still fighting.

Still believing.

Still winning battles nobody sees.

So say what you want about the weight I've lost. I'm busy celebrating what I refused to lose.

And if life hasn't changed you yet, keep living.

One day you'll need a battle cry of your own.

You better get yourself one before you need it. 💪🏾🔥

[Jack Mallers @jackmallers]

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[Kerry Goode @KerryGoode]

As I sat there in stillness staring at everything ALS and life had taken from me, the Holy Spirit whispered something I had forgotten: I have lived a life richer, deeper, and fuller than most people ever touch. I’ve spent too much time staring at what I can no longer do, instead of lifting my eyes to the blessings I’ve already walked through—blessings many healthy people never experience in an entire lifetime.

And then God showed me something powerful: I have out‑lived, out‑fought, out‑smiled, and out‑loved more than most.

I have out‑lived others—not in years, but in experience. Jesus said He came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. I have had abundant life. He took a little boy from Town Creek, Alabama and let him stand on stages, meet people, touch lives, and walk through doors I had to fight just to reach. That’s living. That’s overflow. That’s grace.

I have out‑fought others. Not with fists. Not because I am the strongest, but because God kept giving me strength when I had none left. I fought through disappointment. I fought through unfairness. I fought through sickness. I fought for others when they could not stand for themselves. Like Paul said, I have fought the good fight. And I am still fighting.

I have out‑smiled others. Even when life tried to break me. Even when people thought I shouldn’t be smiling. My Denver Broncos roommate, Reggie Ware from Auburn, nicknamed me Chester Cheese from the Cheetos commercial because I smiled through storms, through mistreatment, through moments that should’ve crushed me. But the Bible says, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” My smile wasn’t denial—it was defiance. It was spiritual warfare. It was proof that God’s joy can outshine any darkness.

And I have out‑loved others. God gave me a heart that crosses racial, cultural, ethnic, and heritage boundaries. A heart that loves people the world says I shouldn’t. A heart that reflects Jesus, who said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Loving like that is rare. Loving like that is holy. Loving like that is legacy.

And in that solemn moment, I realized something that humbled me to my core: I am one of the most blessed men on earth.

If it all ended today, God has already done more for me than I ever dreamed as that little boy growing up in Town Creek. He let me live abundantly. He let me fight victoriously. He let me smile joyfully. He let me love generously.

So if the Lord doesn’t do anything else for me— He’s already done enough. More than enough. Overflowing, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.

I have lived well. I have fought well. I have smiled well. I have loved well.

And by God’s grace—I’m still doing all four.

[Pete.x @PeteScorum]

@APompliano Our rights as U.S. citizens are under attack, including free speech and we need to protect them, especially from trojan horses

[Pete.x @PeteScorum]

@APompliano Pornography/nudity and vulgar language in public was at one time almost universially rejected in the USA and was not part of free speech. But so called "hate speech" is subjective and to ban it is to ban comedy and all alternative opinions.

[Pete.x @PeteScorum]

@APompliano But freedom of speech does not include burning or otherwise destroying either public or private property, and it does not include the abilty to loot and pillage in order to make a point. It also does not include slander or false accusations.