Blog
Faith
Dear God, I continue to pray for those who are hurting, that you will use the storms they are facing to strengthen them from a “What If” faith to a “No Matter What” faith. ~OC
Through A Lens Of Honor
We live in a beautifully diverse world. I love it. How we look at those beautiful differences makes a huge difference.
When we look at diversity with an attitude of fear, our differences appear as threats and something to be sacred of. In contrast, when we look at each others differences through a lens of honor, we can see the beauty, the creativity, and the strength in the people around us. When we treat people with honor, we celebrate their differences. We defend them. We embrace them. We make room for them at the table.
So today, I challenge all of us to look at others through a lens of honor. Let us celebrate the beautiful diversity that God created. ~OC
Living With Hope During The Storm
Life is hard. I think we can all agree on that one. We are either experiencing a storm, coming out of a storm or getting reading to enter a storm. Can I get an Amen? That is how life tends to work for most of us. So how can we find Hope during or after the storm? Here are a few things that have helped me as I walk through my own crazy beautiful journey.
God Is In Control. I know sometimes that is hard to fathom, when we are in the middle of the storm or dealing with the aftermath of a storm. But if God is in control during the good times, that means He must be in control during the rough times. Also, if God is God, then nothing good or bad happens apart from His knowledge. One of my favorite scriptures and one that has helped guide me through my almost 18 year crazy beautiful health journey is 2 Corinthians 1:8-9:
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
God Never Forsakes Us. Sometimes that is hard to believe when we are walking in the middle of the storm. It can appear that God has left us to find our own way. We have all faced those moments in life. The poor diagnosis, the broken relationship or the lose of a loved one. But God promises us in His word that he will always be with us. One scripture that has given me comfort during my own journey is Deuteronomy 31:8:
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
God’s Timing. I used to use the old Christianize, God is always right on time all the time. But during my health journey, I have started looking at this in a different way. When I used to use that phrase, I felt like I am saying that God had left my side at some point during my journey. I truly believe God’s timing is always perfect, because He never leaves us. *Just a side note. I do not have a problem with people using the phrase. This was just me sharing my perspective. Sometimes I still find myself saying it.
I pray these words will encourage you as you walk through the storms of life. God wants us to seek Him during the good and bad times. He is always there for us. We just have to reach out to Him. ~OC
Mr. President, This Is Lynching
I debated on whether I should write this post or not. But after thinking it over, I could not stay silent. I had to share my thoughts on the President’s latest tweet. I know I might lose some followers and maybe a few friends for sharing this post. That’s okay, I am a big boy.
For those of you who have not been checking your Twitter feed today, the President sent out a tweet comparing what he is currently dealing with politically to lynching. Of course, he later shared he was not referring to the dark period in American history. I have already seen several of his supporters rushing to his defense. All I can say is shame on anyone who defends the President’s tweet. Even if the President accidentally used a poor choice of words, he must know better. He is the President of the United States. That includes everyone.
Mr. President and everyone who is defending his latest tweet, let me give you a lesson in American History 101. Between 1877 and 1950, there are 4,075 documented cases of African-Americans being lynched in America (Equal Justice Initiative). Towns used to hold “Lynching Days” after church on Sunday’s. Some towns even publicized it in the local newspaper. African-Americans could be lynched for simply walking down the street. A lot of victims of lynching were burned afterwards. Mr. President that is Lynching. I would suggest you and those defending your latest tweet, visit The Legacy Museum and Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. My wife and I visited last year. Our lives will never be the same. My wife and I actually met a family who’s great-grandfather was a victim of lynching. His crime? He had the audacity to ask a white man to pay him for completing work on the man’s home. How dare he!
So Mr. President and those defending him, that is your history lesson on lynching in America. I would encourage each of you, to step away from social media for a moment and read up on this dark period of America’s history.
For those who are offended by my post, please reach out to me. Let’s sit down and have a civil conversation. I would love to recommend some books on lynching in America. Maybe we can actually meet at The Legacy Museum and Memorial in Montgomery. I plan on visiting again next year. ~OC 
Mr
Love Over Hate
I will always speak up against hate of any kind. Life is too short and precious to hate another person. ~OC 
Where Is The Love?
In the past 24 hours, I have read about a Christian Speaker attacking another Christian Speaker and a Christian Author attacking another Christian Author. Both have saddened me. When did it become okay for Christians to attack other Christians? Oh wait, that has been going on since the beginning of time. It still breaks my heart. Where is the love?
There is amazing power when Christians are united. I would encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to read the Book of Acts again. It is a beautiful blue print on how Christians should treat other Christians. How we should be united.
I pray we will stop these petty attacks. Let us be aware that the world is looking at us and shaking their heads in disgust. We must remember that the enemy will use the temptation of pride and self-righteousness to divide the Church. We must stand united for Jesus.
Please know, I am not saying there cannot be disagreements within the Church and among Christians. When there is a clear disregard for the scriptures and Jesus teachings, we must speak up. I welcome healthy dialogue among Christians. What I don’t care for is publicly attacking fellow Christians over petty disagreements. God created each of us with unique differences, but still in His beautiful image. We should celebrate those differences and not let them divide us.
My prayer is that God’s children will stop looking for ways to attack each other and start truly living out the Book of Acts. That the world will see a united Church and not a divided one. I pray you will join me on this journey. ~OC
Encouragement
For the past 17.5 years, I have spent countless hours at doctors appointments, treatment centers & the hospital. During those times, I have had the privilege to talk with hurting people experiencing life changing moments. I have had the honor to pray for people who wouldn’t see another year. I have rejoiced with those who experienced a miracle in their medical journey. I have never taken one of those moments for granted. None of those precious moments have been about me. God placed me in those moments to hopefully encourage someone. The truth is, most of the time I have been the one walking away feeling encouraged. Never miss the opportunity to encourage someone. It could be life changing. ~OC
God Don’t Make Junk
I apologize to all the English teachers out there. I just have to be real with this message. God Don’t Make Junk!
As we travel this crazy beautiful journey, sometimes we look at our current circumstances and think God cannot use our mess. Our junk. How can He use a man with a broken down body? How can God use the addict? How can He use the divorced person? How can God use the person that just keeps screwing up? Have you ever felt like junk? I know I have.
During those moments of brokenness, we need to seek after God. Because the world will tell us we’re worthless. That we are broken. That we are junk. Please do not believe the lies. God made each of us for a wonderful purpose in life. Our mistakes and brokenness make us stronger. Our past failures help us find our true purpose in life.
As you walk this crazy beautiful journey, I pray you will remember God don’t make junk- so we need to be living like our lives are masterpieces. There are storms we will face along the journey, but there are also many blessings. Keep striving to be the masterpiece God has created. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 