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Where’s The Iron?

Today’s a new day. And before I say anything else, I want to say thank you to the very few friends who have stayed by my side during this crazy, beautiful health journey. You know who you are. You are definitely in the minority. Your texts, your calls, your presence — not just your emojis — have meant more than you’ll ever know. It’s both funny and heartbreaking how someone can be celebrated as the “flavor of the month” for a season in the Christian community, applauded, platformed, and praised… yet the moment that same person enters a difficult health season, many quietly disappear. Some walk away from the responsibility to love and care as quickly as you can say, “Bless your heart, I’ll be praying for you.”

I’ve seen this especially in Christian men’s circles. Brotherhood is preached. Loyalty is applauded. Accountability is emphasized. But when things get uncomfortable — when illness lingers, when strength looks like weakness, when there’s nothing flashy or impressive to celebrate — friendships often fade. A thumbs up on a post. Prayer hands in a text. Maybe an occasional visit to check a box. And while those gestures aren’t meaningless, they’re not the fullness of brotherhood either. I’m not writing this from a place of anger. I’m writing from disappointment. There’s a difference. Disappointment comes from believing we can do better — that we’re called to do better.

Over the years, I’ve sat in countless men’s Bible studies where words like “iron sharpens iron” and “we’re in this together” are boldly proclaimed. Yet consistent, sacrificial friendship — the kind that shows up over and over again — is rare. And I share this not just for myself, but for the many brothers silently carrying their own battles. Health struggles. Mental strain. Financial pressure. Family heartbreak. So many men are walking through something and feel like they’re walking alone. That shouldn’t be the testimony of the Church.

I truly pray no one ever has to walk the specific health road I’m on. But if you ever do face your own long night, I pray you don’t just receive words — I pray you feel presence. I pray you’re surrounded by brothers who stay. Brothers who check in consistently. Brothers who sit in silence when needed. Brothers who don’t vanish when the spotlight fades.

Today’s a new day. And maybe this is a call for all of us — myself included — to love deeper, stay longer, and live out the brotherhood we so easily preach about.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. May the love and peace of God rest upon each of you. ~OC

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Love And Redemption

Today’s a new day! From the garden where creation bloomed in light,
Where You walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of night,
Every promise whispered in the fall,
You had a plan to redeem us all
Through the prophets and the years of waiting,
Love was writing history in the making.

In a manger lay the Hope of man,
God incarnate, the great I Am,
Healing hearts and calming seas,
Carrying chains to Calvary
On that Cross where mercy bled,
You bore our sin, the crown of thorns on Your head.

But the stone was rolled and death undone,
The grave could not hold Heaven’s Son,
Resurrection morning broke,
Living hope in every soul
The Spirit came like wind and flame,
Empowering us to lift Your name.

And one bright day the sky will part,
Trumpets sound and every heart
Will see the King in glorious light,
Faith made sight, wrong made right
Every knee will bow and sing,
Jesus Christ is Lord and King.

From the Garden to the Cross,
From the grave to glory’s dawn,
Father, the risen Son, to the Holy Spirit-our Helper,
The story of love goes on and on
Hallelujah, we proclaim,
Salvation written in Your name,
Three in One, forever reign,
All honor, all power, all praise. ~OC

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Rise And Live Again

Today’s a new day!
In the silence of the midnight hour,
When the weight of the world feels strong,
There’s a whisper breaking through the dark,
A steady voice, a healing son
When my strength begins to fade away,
And my heart can barely stand,
I remember where my help comes from—
Held in nail-scarred hands.


It’s the power of God’s hope that lifts me,
The power of His unfailing love,
The power of His sweet compassion
Pouring down from above
His grace is more than enough for me,
His peace calms every storm within,
In the power of His forgiveness
I rise and live again.


When regret tries to rewrite my past,
And shame knocks at my door,
His mercy speaks a better word
Than I have ever heard before
He doesn’t see my brokenness
As something to condemn,
He wraps me in His righteousness
And calls me His child again.


In a world that’s torn by hurt and fear,
Where hearts are slow to trust,
His Spirit breathes a deeper truth—
From ashes, beauty comes from dust
He teaches us to love like Him,
To serve and not divide,
To carry hope into the night
With mercy as our guide.


Hope for the weary,
Love for the lost,
Grace that was given
No matter the cost
Peace like a river,
Forgiveness so wide—
All of His power
Now living inside. ~OC

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The Power of Prayer

Today’s a new day!  Prayer is more than a ritual or a religious routine—it is a lifeline. In the middle of ordinary days filled with deadlines, doctor appointments, family responsibilities, and unexpected challenges, prayer anchors us. It recenters our hearts when the world feels chaotic and reminds us that we are not navigating life alone. Through prayer, we exchange anxiety for peace, confusion for clarity, and weakness for strength. It doesn’t always change our circumstances immediately, but it changes us—our perspective, our endurance, and our hope.

The power of prayer is found in its consistency. Daily prayer builds spiritual resilience the same way daily exercise builds physical strength. When we make space each morning to seek God, we begin the day aligned rather than reactive. When we pause in the afternoon to whisper a quiet prayer, we invite wisdom into our decisions. When we end the night in gratitude, we train our hearts to see blessings even in hardship. Prayer shapes our character, softens our responses, and deepens our trust.

Prayer also connects us to something greater than ourselves. It reminds us that our struggles are seen, our tears are counted, and our victories are celebrated in heaven. In moments when we feel isolated, prayer assures us that God is near. In seasons of pain, it becomes a place of refuge. In times of joy, it becomes an overflow of thanksgiving. Over time, prayer transforms from something we do into a way we live—an ongoing conversation with a faithful God who walks with us through every valley and every mountaintop.

In our daily lives, prayer is power—not because of eloquent words or perfect phrases, but because of the One who hears. And when we learn to lean into that power, we discover that even the smallest prayer can carry us through the biggest battles. ~OC

***Check out the Spoken Word version at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

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Church Silence

Today’s a new day! I am deeply thankful for my church home and for a pastor who is not afraid to speak truth, even when it is uncomfortable. Yesterday, during service, my pastor directly addressed the racist post made by the current President of the United States. In a time when silence has become the easier choice, I am proud of his commitment to confront the issues of our world when they intersect with faith, justice, and the teachings of Jesus. The church was never meant to exist in isolation, sealed off from the pain, hatred, and injustice happening beyond its walls. Faith that refuses to engage the real world is not faith at all—it is avoidance.

That said, I can’t help but ask an important and uncomfortable question: did your pastor address racism yesterday? And if not, why not? It saddens me when churches turn a blind eye to what is happening outside the four walls of their sanctuary. Whether out of fear, concern over attendance, or a desire to remain “neutral,” silence in the face of racism speaks volumes. Personally, I could not belong to a church that is either afraid to address the issues our world faces or willingly chooses to ignore them. Following Jesus means standing for truth, love, and justice—even when it costs us something. Anything less is a distortion of the Gospel. ~OC

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Take Our Brokenness

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him,who have been called according to His purpose.” ~Romans 8:28

Today’s a new day! Sometimes, God allows us to experience broken bodies so that we can realize we have an even greater need—a broken heart. A broken heart that needs Him. If we will let Him, God wants to take our broken hearts, and pour His love in. That is part of the “good” that He wants to work for us in the Scripture verse above. He wants to heal our brokenness, and in so doing, bring good out of it. And then, as only God can do, He wants to work through us to show a world of hurting and broken hearts that He can do the same for them. That is part of what He means when He says that we have been “called according to His purpose.”

God actually has a purpose for each and every one of us. No matter how broken we feel inside, God has a purpose for us. We may not see how, but God can take broken bodies and broken hearts and use them for good in His great purposes. All He needs is a willing heart. 

We often feel, though, that we are too big of a mess for God to accept. But in reality, He desperately wants us to turn to Him in the middle of our mess and lift our arms up to Him, just like when we were a child and we turned to our parents or grandparents in the middle of a mess that was often from our own doing. 

All that God needs is a willing heart. Because if we are willing, even though we may feel like we’re are a total mess, God will honor whatever faith we can muster, and take our brokenness and turn it into something truly beautiful.

 Dear God, I pray that You will take our brokenness and use it for good in your great purposes. I pray that You will use our “I can’t” situations to show us what You CAN do and want to do in our lives. Thank you, God, for hearing our prayer. In Jesus’ great name, Amen.” ~OC

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With Tears

Today’s a new day! Yesterday, as I scrolled through social media, I was struck by a disturbing post shared by the current President of the United States—an image involving a former President and First Lady that many, myself included, perceived as racist and deeply offensive. What troubled me just as much as the post itself was the near-total silence that followed from Christian leaders, organizations and the Christian community as a whole. I looked for statements, condemnations, or even thoughtful reflections grounded in Scripture, but found very little. That silence was deafening. It raises a painful question: how can the Christian community remain quiet—or worse, quietly supportive—when words and actions so clearly contradict the character and teachings of Christ?

This moment exposes a deeper concern that has been growing in my heart for some time. Too many Christians appear to have chosen political allegiance over Gospel faithfulness. When loyalty to a party or a person outweighs our commitment to love, truth, humility, and justice, something has gone terribly wrong. Jesus did not call His followers to power, outrage, or mockery; He called us to love our neighbors, defend the marginalized, and speak truth with grace. When the Church mirrors the cruelty, division, and bitterness of the world, rather than standing apart from it, we lose our witness. It is hard not to imagine Jesus weeping as He watches His Church drift further from His example, trading compassion for convenience and conviction for comfort.

If the teachings and love of Jesus are to remain alive in the Church and the Christian community, we must be willing to speak—even when it is uncomfortable, even when it costs us politically or socially. Silence in the face of injustice is not neutrality; it is a choice. The Gospel demands more from us. It calls us back to Christ-centered courage, where love is louder than hate, truth is stronger than fear, and faithfulness to Jesus outweighs every earthly allegiance. ~OC

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Heart Check

Today’s a new day! As Christians, we’re called to be mindful of our words and actions. What we post, like, and share on social media, how we treat people in public and private, and the voices we choose to amplify all matter. But are we living what we preach? It’s easy to quote scriptures online, but do our lives reflect the teachings of Jesus? 

The disconnect is real. We might share verses about love and kindness, but our actual lives paint a different story. It’s time to take a step back and check our hearts. Are we prioritizing compassion, humility, and integrity? Are we spreading God’s love and peace , or just adding to the noise? As Believers, our words and actions are a reflection of our faith.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on our online presence, our relationships, and our daily choices. Are they aligned with the teachings of Jesus? Let’s strive to be more authentic, more compassionate, and more intentional. Let’s make our faith visible in our actions, not just our words. #HeartCheck #FaithInAction ~OC

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Finding My Voice In Silence

Today’s a new day! I’ve been thinking a lot about voices lately. Not the physical one, but the one that truly matters – the one inside our head and heart.  As Parkinson’s disease slowly takes away my ability to physically speak, I am learning that my inner voice is getting louder. It’s a weird trade-off, but I’m grateful for it. You see, my words might not come out like they used to, but the thoughts, emotions, and passions behind them are still there, burning strong. The voice you hear in my spoken words might not be my physical voice, but the thoughts and heart behind them are all mine. 

I share my writings and spoken words with you, because I want to encourage you to find and share your own voice, no matter what it sounds like or how it comes out. It might be a whisper, a scream, a song, a book, or a poem. It doesn’t matter – what matters is that you’re sharing it. Since this health journey started many many years ago, writing has been my way to express myself, to process life, and to connect with others. Even though my physical voice is fading, my heart is still speaking, and I’m grateful to have platforms like this to share my thoughts and stories with you. So, don’t be afraid to let your voice be heard, even if it’s just a whisper. ~OC

***You can listen to the Spoken Word at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker

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My Voice

Today’s a new day! Wakeless nights, they used to whisper low

A diagnosis that shook my world, don’t know where to go

But then I felt it, like a spark in the night

A flame that flickered, shone a light on my plight

Joy in the struggle, purpose in the fight

Finding my voice, in the dark of night 

Parkinson’s crept in, tried to steal my sound

But I resist, I won’t be wearin’ chains bound

I write these words, a symphony of pain

A melody of hope, a rhythm that remains

I find my voice, it’s louder than before

Echoing with joy, and a purpose more

In the silence, I hear a gentle hum

A reminder that I’m not alone, there’s more to come

My voice is a river, flowin’ strong and free

Carrying my story, for the world to see

Joy in the journey, purpose in the strife

Finding my voice, and it’s changin’ my life. ~OC

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