I’m too blessed to be cynical.

I’m too blessed to hold a grudge.

I’m too blessed not to forgive.

I’m too blessed to hate.

I’m too blessed not to love. ~OC

This crazy/beautiful journey has made me so very aware that God is so much bigger and so much closer to me than I ever could have imagined. ~OC

Hello! I have debated sharing the following on social media. But during this crazy beautiful health journey, I have always tried to be honest. Each of you are part of this wonderful journey. My prayer is that the following will encourage everyone who reads it. It has really helped me with some of the struggles I was dealing with for a long time. Here we go……

Several weeks ago, I felt God talking to me about my health. No audible voice. This went on for over a week. The following is what I heard:

1). God shared He is still in control of every area of my life.

2). My life is more than my health issues. Not to be consumed by my health issues.

3). To not listen to everyone who talks to me about my health and healing.

4). To stop worrying when and if my healing is coming on earth. I clearly heard him tell me, I will not see healing on this side of heaven. At first I was disappointed, but God has given me a real sense of peace and hope. I am not giving up and do not believe I am going to heaven anytime soon.

5). To keep really living and trusting His plan for my life.

The past few days, God has shared I need to be more concerned about the What not the Why. What can I learn during this journey and how can I use it to help others? That is what I plan on doing.

My prayer is that you will find this encouraging. I know I do. Plus, I will probably out live all of you. God Bless. ~OC

So I move forward…. one slow step at a time. Fully aware that my steps are shadowed by the fiercest of Heaven’s warriors… under the direct command of God himself. ~OC

Dear God, I am not feeling brave. I am not feeling heroic. I’m just a man doing what has to be done. Any strength I have today comes from the knowledge that you are with me. Thank you. ~OC

As I enter my 17th year of this crazy/beautiful health journey, I am often asked how I stay so hopeful?

When my crazy/beautiful journey started, I could never have imagined that in 2019, I would still be dealing with health issues. But early on in the journey, I decided I was going to live a life full of hope. Now that does not mean each day is filled with chocolates and rainbows. Not that I could eat the chocolates anymore. Each day is filled with some tough moments. My body and mind are not able to do things that used to come so naturally. Those can be very frustrating days. During those tough moments, I make the choice to find joy and purpose in life. Here are some ways I do that.

I constantly seek God through prayer. I believe finding purpose in our lives is critical. What are your interest? Do not be afraid to think outside of the box. How can God use the trial you are facing? Seek input from others.

Ask questions like “How can I use my journey to help other?” “What am I passionate about?” Your journey could help someone going through their own storm. My health journey has helped me assist others in their own health struggles. I am also passionate about ending human trafficking. My health journey has given me more time to help fight this crime.

Eliminate toxic relationships from your life. When you are facing a storm, you need to be surrounded by positive people. There are so many negative things going on around us. No one needs any additional negativity or drama in their lives.

Share forgiveness. In life people will fail you. They will say or do the wrong thing. Hopefully you will experience healing in those relationships. If not, move on.

Make healthy decisions. During my journey, my wife and I have had to make a lot of tough decisions. We have learned over the years, we have to do what is best for us. We cannot worry if our choices do not make sense to others.

Share your gifts and talents. During this crazy/beautiful journey, God has blessed me with a lot to say. He has blessed me with social media to help share my story. God also blessed me with the gift of encouragement. What are your gifts and talents?

Just remember that God has a plan and purpose for each of our lives. I encourage you to stay positive and focused on His purpose for your life. ~OC

With so many negative stories in the news, I thought I would share a positive story with you. It’s my story. 

I am currently entering my 17th year dealing with multiple life threatening health issues. I am affectionately known as The Man Who Refuses to Die. During this journey, I have been blessed with many cool nicknames. I used to be a long distance runner. I actually used to run several marathons a week. No, I wasn’t being chased by anyone. Today Jesus has me running a new race. A race to truly love and encourage others going through their own storm. Jesus has allowed me to become a Abolitionist, Missionary and Speaker during this crazy beautiful journey. In the next few weeks, I will be able to add published author to that list. The funny thing about being a speaker is, I have to use a amplifier to help me speak these days. Jesus can even use a whispering man to share His story. I am a missionary at the many doctors appointments and hospital stays. Jesus always brings me to someone who needs a encouraging word. Most people hear my story and think how terrible. But I look at my story and think what an amazing God we serve. 

Thank you for reading my story. Feel free to contact me anytime. I pray Jesus continues to bless your journey. ~OC

Today’s a new day! Each day I walk this crazy beautiful journey, I find the joy. Today, I pray you find the joy. ~OC

A lot of times when I scroll down social media, I want to cry. Some of the posts I read are filled with so much negativity and hate. I know the world is filled with a lot of darkness, pain and hate. That does not surprise me. What saddens me is that many of the negative and hateful post I read are written by people who call themselves Christians. That is what makes me want to cry and scream, all at the same time.

Recently I have read posts from some people who call themselves Christians, seemingly celebrating the declining health of a Supreme Court Justice. Why? Because it fits their political agenda. Sadly, a lot of Christians appear to be more concerned about their political allegiances than their relationship with the Creator of the world. Those same people will tell you Jesus agrees with their political affiliation. I have checked the Bible and it does not mention Jesus being part of a political party.

When I read about Jesus, I see someone who was caring and loving. I see someone who was filled with encouraging words. I see someone who was not a pushover, but was stern in a loving way, when needed. What I do not see is hate. Never hate.

A word of advice for my fellow Christians. The world is watching us. They are reading our social media post. They are listening to our conversations. They are watching our responses to world events. What will they see? Will we make some mistakes along the way? Sure we will. But I pray that the majority of the time the world will see love, grace and forgiveness when it looks at the Christian Community.

I still love my fellow Christians. That will never change. But I will also continue to call out injustice within the Christian community. when needed. I hope you will do the same. God Bless. .~OC

God has promised to look after me and to bring help. God, who defends me, who is far greater in strength than my health issues or anything life throws at me. God, who spoke and whose words caused the universe to be. His word is true, unfailing. If He promises something, He will deliver. ~OC