Ron & Jen’s Great Escape – Jan. 4, 2023 – Ron St. Pierre and Jen Brien

by Ron St. Pierre & Jen Brien, contributing writers, commentary

“Lean not on your own understanding”

As soon as I heard the news about Damar Hamlin Tuesday morning, this Bible phrase came to my mind. “Lean not on your own understanding” is from Proverbs  3:5-6.  In full, it actually reads:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

As we all wondered Monday night whether Damar Hamlin would live or die, something miraculous happened in the middle of tremendous shock and anguish. People all over this country and world started to pray. Praying for a 24-year old athlete who is in the prime of his life. A tremendous role model in his community and just an all around good man. We sat collectively wherever we were and began calling on the Lord to save this young man. In the midst of this, I thought, “Isn’t it astounding that we have people of faith, people who have never prayed, people who are on the fence about God, go to him”. Start a dialogue where there was nothing. Where there was once no heavenly wi-fi signal for millions, there was one now. Maybe it’s faint, and causes the download to lag, but there’s a signal, nonetheless.

Just a few years ago the death of George Floyd turned this country inside out. Fast forward to 2023, and the injury to Damar Hamlin. This sports catastrophe may bring us back (through prayer and supplication) to exactly the place our hearts long to be. We are not vandals and rioters, and a people full of hate. We are a spirit filled loving species who just lost their way. 

I pray Damar is healed, I pray his family is comforted, and I pray we as a nation and people continue through prayer to expose the true nature of who we really want to be.

Love to all,
Jennifer

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PET POSITIVE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

Most of our homes have a pet among our family members, so how about listing a few pet positive resolutions? Here are a few to uplift Rover and Rufus’ health and frame of mind in 2023.

– Measure their food and don’t “eyeball it.” It helps keep your pet’s weight under control.

– Make your pet part of your monthly budget especially as they start to age and need more frequent vet visits.

– Socialize your pet as long as they play well with others.

– Remember, it’s THEIR walk, not yours. Give them ample time to sniff around. It’s like you going to Disneyworld!  Make playtime!

– Update their tags and it’s NOT cruel to have them micro-chipped.

– Get your pet some new toys. Just like kids they tire of the same old playthings (not to mention all the doggy slime on them)

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A TIME TO PURGE

A recent poll shows people haven’t decluttered their homes in over two years. 67% own up to having plenty of clutter but refuse to get rid of such “stuff” in the event they might need it again someday. The most unused items include books, clothing and random cables and cords for gizmos long forgotten. Supposedly decluttering enters our minds three times a week but most of us don’t bother to do it. 19% have clung on to something for over a decade without using it.

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Ron St. Pierre is a veteran broadcaster whose career has spanned over four decades. Ron has programmed, performed on and managed WHJJ, WPRO, WWRX, 790 The Score in Providence, as well as WBZT and WKGR in West Palm Beach and WABC in New York City. Ron also anchored sports on WPRI Ch 12 in Providence. He is a member of both the Rhode Island Radio and Television and the City of Pawtucket Halls of Fame. He was born and raised in Pawtucket.

Jen Brien has over 20 years of radio broadcast experience having hosted shows on WPRO and WHJJ with Ron as well as her own shows on WRKO and WBZ in Boston, WXTK on Cape Cod and WHAM in Rochester, New York. Jen was born and raised in Woonsocket and served six years in the Army MP Canine Unit.

Hazel, Ron’s dog, makes regular appearances.

“Ron and Jen’s Great Escape” podcast, a more lighthearted look at the events happening around us, can be found on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts, with new episodes premiering each Wednesday and listen to Ron and Jen’s Great Escape call in radio show Friday afternoons 2 til 4 on 101.1 FM, 1540 WADK and streaming everywhere on WADK.COM.

Go here to read all Ron & Jen’s columns: https://rinewstoday.com/ron-st-pierre-jen-brien/