Category: Uncategorized

Take A Moment

Today’s a new day!

As we walk into this Sunday, it’s a beautiful moment to pause and ask ourselves a simple but powerful question: What am I thankful for? Life moves quickly, and it’s easy to focus on the challenges, the worries, and the endless to-do lists. But Sunday gives us a sacred invitation to slow down and remember the goodness of God. Gratitude shifts our hearts. When we take time to thank God for the breath in our lungs, the people we love, and the quiet ways He provides each day, we begin to see His faithfulness everywhere.

Sometimes the biggest blessings are found in the smallest moments. A peaceful morning, a kind word from a friend, strength to get through a difficult week—these are reminders that God is present in every part of our lives. Scripture continually calls us to give thanks, not only when life feels perfect, but in every season. Gratitude becomes an act of trust, a declaration that God is still working even when we cannot see the whole picture.

So as this Sunday begins, take a moment to reflect and thank God for something specific in your life. Maybe it’s a new opportunity, a lesson learned through hardship, or simply the gift of another day. When we begin our week with thankful hearts, we step forward with renewed faith, hope, and peace, trusting that the same God who carried us through yesterday will guide us through the days ahead. ~OC

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Be Kind

Today’s a new day! Everyone you meet is carrying something you can’t see. The coworker who seems distracted may be worrying about a sick parent. The friend who cancels plans might be struggling with anxiety or exhaustion. The stranger who appears impatient could be dealing with a loss that has quietly reshaped their world. So much of life happens beneath the surface, hidden behind polite smiles and routine conversations. It’s easy to judge what we can see, but the truth is that each person we encounter is navigating challenges that we may never fully understand.

Choosing kindness in everyday moments can make a profound difference. A patient response, a genuine compliment, or simply listening without judgment can brighten someone’s difficult day more than we realize. Kindness doesn’t require grand gestures—it often lives in the small decisions we make to treat others with compassion and respect. When we remember that everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about, we begin to replace quick assumptions with empathy.

In a world that often feels rushed and demanding, kindness is a quiet form of strength. It slows us down long enough to recognize the humanity in others and in ourselves. By choosing grace over criticism and understanding over frustration, we help create a space where people feel seen and valued. You may never know the full impact of your kindness, but to someone who is struggling, it could mean more than words can express. ~OC

You can listen to the Spoken Word of this post at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

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Comfortable, But Miserable

Today’s a new day! We are living in one of the easiest eras in human history. With a few taps on a screen, we can access more information than entire generations before us could gather in a lifetime. We enjoy conveniences that kings and queens once could not imagine—climate-controlled homes, instant communication, endless entertainment, and medical advancements that have extended life expectancy across the globe. In many parts of the world, particularly here in the United States, comfort and accessibility are woven into daily life. Yet despite all this ease, anxiety, depression, burnout, and emotional exhaustion are rising at alarming rates. We are informed, connected, and comfortable—yet deeply weary.

This contrast reveals a spiritual truth: comfort does not equal peace. Information does not equal wisdom. And constant connectivity does not equal true community. Scripture reminds us in Ecclesiastes that “the more knowledge increases, the more sorrow increases.” We are bombarded with news, opinions, crises, and comparisons every single day. Social media invites us to measure our lives against curated highlights. Work follows us home through emails and notifications. Our souls were not designed to carry the weight of the entire world’s problems at once.

Jesus offers a different way. In Matthew 11:28, He says, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Notice that He does not promise more information, more productivity, or more control. He promises rest. True rest is not found in better algorithms or more efficient schedules—it is found in surrender. It is found in laying our anxious thoughts before God and trusting that He is sovereign even when the world feels overwhelming.

Perhaps the reason mental health struggles are at an all-time high in the most comfortable age is because we have tried to replace dependence on God with dependence on convenience. Comfort can numb us, but it cannot heal us. Technology can connect us, but it cannot restore our souls. Only Christ can do that. As believers, we are invited to slow down, to unplug, to pray, and to remember that our worth is not measured by productivity or performance but by the unchanging love of God.

In the easiest of times, may we choose the deeper path. May we seek not just comfort, but communion. Not just information, but transformation. And may we find that even in an anxious age, the peace of Christ is still available—steady, unshaken, and freely given. ~OC

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

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Health of the American Church: My Opinion Only

This year I celebrate fifty years of following Jesus. Half a century of prayer, growth, failure, repentance, and grace. Have I been perfect in my walk with Him? Absolutely not. But I have strived to serve Him with my life, to get back up when I stumbled, and to keep my eyes fixed on the One who never changes. Over the decades, I’ve watched our culture shift in ways I never could have imagined. When I was a child, a politician would have never used the kind of language we hear today—let alone have it cheered on. Religious leaders boldly stood for God’s Word without apology. Their primary concern wasn’t political influence or access to power; it was faithfulness. Today, too often, the focus seems to be more on who’s in the White House than on the One who created it all.

The numbers tell a sobering story. According to Gallup, public trust in clergy has steadily declined over the years. When I was growing up, around 87% of Americans said they trusted pastors. By 2025, that number had reportedly fallen to 27%. And while statistics never tell the whole story, they do raise an important question: Can you blame people? Too many religious leaders appear more invested in growing their social media platforms than shepherding their congregations. Some seem more engaged with the latest TikTok trend than with the single mom quietly struggling in the third pew. Of course, this does not apply to every church in America. Thank God, there are still a few faithful pastors who care more about God’s truth than cultural applause.

I still love the Church. After fifty years, my commitment hasn’t wavered—but my concern has deepened. I grieve when I see compromise where there should be conviction, branding where there should be brokenness, and performance where there should be prayer. Yet I remain hopeful. Christ has sustained His Church through every generation, every scandal, every cultural upheaval. My prayer is that we return to the simplicity of devotion to Him—not chasing relevance, not courting political favor, but humbly serving God and loving people well. Fifty years in, I am still following Jesus, still learning, still trusting that He is not finished with His Church—or with me. ~OC

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Trip Into The Truth

Today’s a new day! There comes a moment in every believer’s life when faith shifts from something inherited to something deeply personal. A “trip into the truth” is not about boarding a plane or mapping out a destination—it is about embarking on a spiritual journey toward the heart of God. In John 8:32, Jesus declares, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” This promise is not merely poetic; it is transformational. Truth, as defined by Christ, is not a concept but a Person. When we draw closer to Him, we begin to see ourselves more clearly, shed the weight of deception, and step into the freedom that only He can provide.

In a world filled with shifting opinions and cultural noise, it is easy to lose our footing. Yet, Scripture anchors us. Psalm 119 reminds us that God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. A trip into the truth requires intentional steps—daily prayer, time in the Bible, and a willingness to let the Holy Spirit correct and guide us. Sometimes the truth comforts us; other times it convicts us. But it always leads us toward growth and grace. When we surrender our assumptions and invite God to search our hearts, we discover that His truth is not harsh—it is healing.

Ultimately, this journey draws us closer to Jesus Himself. In John 14:6, He boldly states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” To walk in truth is to walk with Him daily. It means trusting His promises over our fears and choosing obedience even when it feels costly. As we continue this trip into the truth, we find that it is not a one-time excursion but a lifelong pilgrimage—one that leads to deeper faith, stronger hope, and a love that reflects Christ to the world. ~OC

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Reflect Jesus

Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,

Jesus can use broken people. If you truly study scripture, you will read that God often chose the weary, the wounded, and the overlooked to display His glory. From the suffering faith of Job to the thorn that humbled Paul the Apostle,  we are reminded that God’s power is not limited to perfect circumstances or pain-free lives. Some receive miraculous healing on this side of Heaven. Others pray with the same faith, the same tears, and the same surrender—and continue walking through illness or hardship. And there are those who once experienced a miracle,  only to find themselves facing another battle.This does not mean they lost their miracle.  It does not mean they have unresolved sin.  It does not mean they lack faith. It means they are human, living in a fallen world where suffering is still part of the journey.

We must stop spreading false doctrine that wounds the already hurting. When we imply that someone’s continued struggle is the result of weak faith or hidden sin, we misrepresent the heart of Christ. God never shamed the suffering;  He drew near to them.  He wept with them.  He touched the untouchable and sat with the rejected. The same Savior who healed bodies also carried a cross. He understands both deliverance and endurance. Jesus loves those who receive beautiful healings on earth just as much as He loves those who will receive their ultimate healing in Heaven. Our calling is not to judge or diagnose someone else’s spiritual condition, but to reflect God’s love, kindness, and compassion. Let us be people who comfort rather than condemn, who encourage rather than accuse, and who walk alongside the suffering with grace that looks like Jesus. ~OC

***You can check out the Spoken Word version at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

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Hope

There are seasons in life when the night feels endless—when prayers seem to echo back in silence and every door we try feels firmly shut. In those moments, hope can feel fragile, like a flickering candle in a storm. Yet faith reminds us that hope was never meant to rest on our circumstances. Scripture tells us in Book of Romans 15:13 that God is the source of all hope, and that He fills us with joy and peace as we trust in Him. That means hope is not something we manufacture; it is something we receive. Even when we cannot see the way forward, God is already there, steady and unshaken by the chaos that overwhelms us.

Holding onto hope when all hope feels lost is an act of spiritual courage. It is choosing to believe that the same God who parted seas in the Book of Exodus and raised dry bones to life in the Book of Ezekiel is still at work in our unseen battles today. Faith does not deny the pain; it declares that pain does not have the final word. When we cling to God’s promises—sometimes with nothing more than a whisper of belief—we position ourselves to witness His faithfulness in ways we never imagined. The storm may rage, but hope in Christ anchors our souls, reminding us that dawn always follows the darkest night. ~OC

***You can listen to the Spoken Word version of this post on my YouTube Channel at Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

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Live a Life of Significance/Live For Jesus

In a world that measures success by status, wealth, and recognition, God measures significance very differently. A life of significance isn’t about how many people know your name — it’s about how faithfully you lived for His.

To live for Jesus is to live with eternal purpose. It means choosing service over selfishness, obedience over popularity, and love over convenience. When you align your life with God’s heart, your everyday actions take on eternal impact.

Significance Is Found in Service

Jesus completely redefined greatness. In Gospel of Mark 10:45, He says:

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

If the Son of God came to serve, how much more should we?

Serving others is not a small calling — it is a sacred one. Every act of kindness, every sacrifice made in love, every quiet prayer for someone in need matters deeply to God. The world may not applaud it, but heaven sees it.

When you serve:

  • You reflect Christ’s character
  • You put love into action
  • You invest in what lasts forever

Significance Is Found in Obedience

A life God is proud of is not a perfect life — it’s a faithful one.

In Colossians 3:23, we are reminded:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

That means your job, your parenting, your friendships, your ministry — all of it can glorify God when done with the right heart.

Living for Jesus means asking daily:

  • Does this honor God?
  • Does this reflect His love?
  • Would He be pleased with this choice?

Small, consistent obedience builds a life of eternal significance.

Significance Is Found in Love

Jesus made it clear that love is the defining mark of His followers. In Gospel of John 13:35, He said:

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

•You don’t need a stage to make a difference.
•You don’t need a title to matter.
•You don’t need wealth to leave a legacy.

You simply need love — lived out daily.

•Forgive quickly.
•Encourage freely.
•Give generously.
•Pray faithfully.

These are the building blocks of a life that echoes into eternity.

Living for What Truly Lasts

One day, titles will fade. Achievements will be forgotten. Applause will grow silent. But what was done for Christ will remain.

When you live for Jesus:

  • Your life points others toward hope.
  • Your choices reflect heaven.
  • Your impact outlives you.

A life of significance is not about being famous — it’s about being faithful.

So today, choose to serve. Choose to love. Choose obedience. Choose humility. Choose Christ.

Live a life of significance.
Live for Jesus. ~OC

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

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Health Update

Today, I was released from the hospital. My condition is still considered very serious, but my medical team felt I would be more comfortable at home. Walking through my own front door felt surreal — a mix of gratitude, relief, and the quiet weight of reality. Hospitals have a rhythm of their own: monitors beeping, nurses checking in, the steady hum of constant care. Home is different. Home is where the fight becomes more personal.

My body and mind have become very tired of this long health journey. There’s a kind of exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix — the kind that settles deep into your bones after years of pushing through appointments, procedures, waiting rooms, and unknowns. I continue to fight, but that fight is getting harder. That’s just me being real with you. Strength doesn’t always look like standing tall and fearless. Sometimes it looks like admitting you’re worn down and showing up anyway.

This journey has stretched me in ways I never imagined. It has taught me that courage can be quiet. That hope can flicker but still refuse to go out. That even on the days when I feel fragile, there is still a part of me choosing to stay, to try, to believe. Being home reminds me that this journey isn’t only physical — it’s emotional, spiritual, relational. It’s allowing yourself to rest without guilt. It’s letting others help. It’s accepting that you can be both strong and struggling at the same time.

I hope my health journey can help someone else walking out their own crazy beautiful journey. If you’re in the middle of yours — tired, uncertain, wondering how much more you can carry — please know you’re not weak for feeling that way. You’re human. And even when the fight feels heavier than ever, there is something incredibly powerful about your decision to keep going. We don’t always get to choose our battles, but we do get to choose to face them with honesty. Today, I’m choosing honesty. And I’m choosing to keep fighting, one breath at a time. ~OC

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