As I have shared before, friendships mean a lot to me. I still have childhood friends. So many memories come rushing back when I think about different friendships. It seems like childhood friendships were so much easier. As we grow older, our lives get busier. That’s just part of life. But as we get busier, it seems like our friendships suffer. I think I have noticed this more during my crazy/beautiful journey. I try my best to stay in contact with my friends. It might be a simple text or actually trying to get together. It amazes me how often I don’t receive a text back or how often friends don’t have time to get together. I must say, it is somewhat disheartening when I am constantly the one reaching out to friends. Please don’t take this as me complaining. That is not my intention. This is more of a challenge to slow down and take time for your friends. At the end of the day, true friendships multiply the good in our lives. ~OC

It is easy to get caught up in our identity. Your career might be your identity. Maybe your identity is caught in your relationships. Maybe your likes on social media define who you are in this world. It could be the sports team you cheer for. What is your identity?

I worked in the juvenile justice system for over 20 years. That is how people knew me. When parents were having trouble with their children, they would reach out to me. I would speak at different conferences about juvenile justice. That was one of my identities. Then when I got sick again and had to retire early, that identity was gone. It was strange when people would ask me what I did for a living and I had no answer.

My identity also consisted of being a long-distance runner. I would talk and breathe running. People would always ask me about my running. They would send me articles about running. People would ask my advice about running shoes and training for running marathons. I loved being a runner. Then I got sick again and I was no longer able to run. There went another piece of my identity.

My health journey has also become my identity. Heck, one of my pastors even gave me a cool nickname “The Man Who Refuses to Die.” That is some kind of identity. The first question I usually get from people is “How are you feeling?” My health issues are what a lot of people see. Believe me, I am very thankful for all of the concern and prayers. But lately God has been challenging me on this identity. Let me explain.

The past few weeks, God has been revealing that I have allowed my health issues to define me. I have made the choice to be identified as a patient. It was a sobering realization, but one I needed to hear. God has been revealing how this mindset has kept me from seeing the healing He wants to be part of my new identity. God has not withheld His healing from me. I have just been so caught up in my health issues, I could not see it. So, the past few weeks God has been changing my mindset. God is breaking me of the “Sick Guy” identity. He is walking me through a new journey of healing and thriving in life. I have no idea where this journey will lead me, but I am excited to be on this beautiful healing journey.

God continues to remind me that my most important identity is in Him. I am a child of God. That is the only identity that truly matters at the end of the day. It is one that I am choosing to embrace with all I am. ~OC

How can we impact others? Do we need to give a lot of money? No. Do we need to move across the world? Not necessarily. Do we need to have a large platform? Not at all. So, how can we impact others? I’m glad you asked. We can impact someone with a kind word. We can impact someone with a kind gesture. We can impact someone with a smile or a simple hello. We can impact someone by taking the time to listen. We can impact someone by being a great friend. None of these cost a thing. Well, that’s not completely true. It will take you slowing down. It will take your time. But I guarantee it will be worth it. Go impact your part of the world. ~OC

Do you ever feel like you are just surviving in life instead of thriving in life? I know I do. There are days I feel like I am on top of the world. Those days are when I feel like I am making a real difference in the world. I love those days. Then I have days when I feel like I am just surviving, one hand above the crashing waves. Those days are not fun. None of us like those days. But those days are just as important as the dancing-on-water days.

I have found in my life when I am dealing with those crashing-waves days, I tend to grow more. Of course during those moments, I do not always see the lessons God is trying to teach me. A lot of times, I do not see those lessons until I have come out on the other side of the crashing waves. But sometimes God allows me to see the lessons during the crashing waves. Those moments tend to happen when I make the choice to sit still and really listen to God. Those are life-changing moments, ones that have guided me during this crazy/beautiful health journey.

Today, I encourage everyone facing the crashing waves of life to sit still, listen to God, and embrace the lessons He is trying to share with you. Sometimes, those lessons are not just for you. ~OC

Today’s a new day! I am happy to report I have gained 5 pounds since last Sunday. This past week has been a life-changing week. God is moving in beautiful ways. Laura and I are excited to see what God has planned for us. Please continue to pray for us. We never want this journey to be about us. We want God to receive all the praise and glory. God Bless. ~OC

Yesterday, I had church during my Uber ride. Yes, you read that correctly. Let me explain.

As most of you know, based on my health issues, I can no longer drive. It was not an easy transition, but I have adjusted. A lot of times, family or friends will take me to my appointments when I need a ride. I am very thankful for each of them. Sometimes I take an Uber when I want to give my family and friends a break.

So yesterday, a friend from my middle school and high school days was in town. We made plans to have lunch in West Palm Beach. So, I took an Uber to meet him. We had a great visit and probably solved most of the world’s problems. HaHa! When it was time to leave, I ordered a Uber home. Here is where the church meeting took place.

A very nice lady and her son picked me up. After saying hello and confirming my information, this young lady from the Bahamas said something that blew me away.

She looked back at me and said “God told me you have a story to tell.”

I said, “Excuse me?”

This young lady repeated herself, “God told me you have a story to tell. What is your story?”

After getting past the shock, I proceeded to share my crazy/beautiful health journey. The young lady had tears in her eyes. She shared earlier God had told her to pray for a man with health issues. That this man had a powerful story to tell and needed some encouragement.

I was blown away, as I sat there with my mouth wide open. Then she began to share even more. I am glad I had my seatbelt on because I was about to experience church. Her words had already blessed me, but she was not done. Far from it.

This wonderful woman went on to tell me that God had given her a word about my future. She shared God told her that I would share my story with millions of people and travel around the world sharing what God had done and was doing in my life. This wonderful lady looked at my voice amplifier that helps me speak and shared I would not need it to speak. Wow!

She then shared as God was healing my body, He would bless me with the ability to heal others. Wait. What? She then proceeded to tell me that I was a modern day Lazarus. All I could do was seat there and listen as these words spoke to me. What a ride! What an experience.

As I have reflected on these words from yesterday, I am praying that God will continue use me. If that means sharing with one person or a million. I pray I will always be obedient and willing to do whatever God asked of me.

So the next time you take a Uber be ready. You never know when church is going to break out. ~OC

Today’s a new day! If you want to make a difference in life, be the friend a friend would like to have. ~OC

I ran cross country in high school. After high school, it would be 20 years before I would run again.

In 2003, I was diagnosed with cancer and had open-heart surgery to remove the tumor. After the surgery, I told my wife I was going to run a marathon. She asked me if I had ever run a marathon before. The answer was no. She took a deep breath and said go for it.

Less than 5 months after my diagnosis and major surgery, I went for a 2-mile run. I was hooked. A year after my diagnosis, I completed my first marathon. I loved it! My running journey was filled with many challenges. In 2007, prior to completing that marathon, I was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s. My first question to my doctor I asked, “Can I keep running?” He shared I could. Parkinson’s caused me to be much slower, but I was still running.

In 2008, I ran over a 1,000 miles. After completing a marathon in January, 2009, my health issues took a turn for the worse.  I had to give up running and working. Since 2009, God has me running a new race, a race to love and encourage others. I still miss running. I now spend my time coaching and encouraging other runners. Once a runner, always a runner. Have a fantastic run today. ~OC

When I was younger, I had a part time job, in addition to a demanding full time job. After I had graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University, I made a promise to myself to pay off all my student loans within 10 years of graduation. I did not want that debt following me for years. I worked a few different places, but the best story comes from my days at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

I usually arrived at BB&B around 5:30pm and worked until close. Anyone who has worked retail, knows that doesn’t mean you clock out at 9:05pm. No, you spend several hours cleaning up the store and getting it ready for the next day. So I usually got home close to midnight, Monday through Friday. That was after getting to my full time job around 7:30AM each morning. It made for a long day, but was worth it to pay off those student loans. Also, I was only doing this for a short time. Blessings to those who have to do that everyday of their lives to survive. I only had to do it for a few years. Plus, it was my choice. Also, I got a great story from my days at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

There was a certain saxophone player who played for a guy from Jersey called “The Boss”. This sax player would come into the store on occasion and do some shopping. We interacted a few times and he decided I should be his helper. So when this sax player known as the “The Big Man”, would come into the store, I would help him out. That sax player was the legendary Clarence Clemons from Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band. Mr. Clemons was always a joy to help. No, I never asked him about Bruce or for a autograph. I think that is why he always asked for me. A great memory. ~OC