Tag: Blessed Overcomer

Take the Pledge

As I reflect on the unrest in America, I think about the powerful pledge from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As we celebrate MLK weekend, I wanted to share his pledge of non-violence. Here is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s pledge of non-violence:

I hereby pledge myself- my person and body-to the nonviolent movement. Therefore I will keep the following ten commandments:

1). Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.

2). Remember always that the non-violent movement seeks justice and reconciliation-not victory.

3). Walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is love.

4). Pray daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.

5). Sacrifice personal wishes in order that all men might be free.

6). Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.

7). Seek to perform regular service for others and for the world.

8). Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.

9). Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.

10). Follow the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration.

I sign this pledge, having seriously considered what I do and with the determination and will to persevere.

As I read the above commitments, I think about all the heroes that lived out those powerful commitments in 1963. America was dealing with major unrest, as Dr. King and so many heroes marched peacefully for civil rights. Yes, peacefully. So the question is, will you take the pledge? I have personally committed to living out these commitments. Will you? ~OC

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God’s Tears

As I continue to pray for America, I imagine God bowing his head in sadness. His tears flowing as so many people who call themselves Christians, act with such hatred and meanness. They seem to have forgotten the beautiful scriptures about loving their neighbors. All Neighbors! The Liberal Neighbor. The Conservative Neighbor. The Homeless Neighbor. The Addicted Neighbor. The LGBTQ Neighbor. The Incarcerated Neighbor. The Immigrant Neighbor. The Depressed Neighbor. The Disabled Neighbor. The Atheist Neighbor. The Black Neighbor. The White Neighbor. The Hispanic Neighbor. The Asian Neighbor. The Middle-Eastern Neighbor. The Native-American Neighbor. The Neighbor of a Different Faith. The..,,, Neighbor.

Think about the sadness God feels looking down on America and seeing all the hatred and division. His heart breaks. Does your heart break? Mine does. So, I will continue to share love. Speak out against hate and violence. I will continue to pray. ~OC

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America, Come Together

At 3:41 a.m. on January 7, 2021, Vice-President Michael Pence officially certified Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris the winners of the 2020 Presidential election. This should have been a pretty boring proceeding. But we know that was not the case. Instead, we saw a few politicians and many protesters try to hijack the election results. Thankfully some leaders who actually believe in the constitution prevailed.

A time honored proceeding that should have only taken a few minutes on Wednesday 1/6/21, ended up lasting until 3:41 a.m. on Thursday 1/7/21. Why? Because some sore losers did not like the results of a fair election. So those individuals decided to take things into their own hands. Instead of peacefully protesting the election results which is their right, this group was encouraged to march on the Capital. We all watched with sadness and horror as this group decided violence was better than peace. At last count, four people died during this senseless uprising. Yes, in America four people died and several more were injured because a group of people did not like the results of a fair election. I know some will disagree that the election was legal and fair, but court after court has thrown out every challenge. Why? Because no real evidence was ever presented to show any fraud. So on January 7, 2021 at 3:41 a.m. President-Elect Joseph Biden was officially certified as the next President of the United States of America. I encourage everyone to pray for President-Elect Biden and Vice-President-Elect Harris. They have a tough job ahead. They need our prayers and support. America needs our prayers. It’s time to come together and actually be the United States of America. ~OC

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Never Leave Our Side

When we walk through the storms of life, you reach out your hand and call us by name. Never leaving our side. You fill our broken hearts with your amazing love and grace. Never leaving our side. You fill our lives with joy and laughter. Never leaving our side. Whenever we call on your name, you fill the room with your amazing presence. Never leaving our side. You fill our hearts with beautiful dreams and purpose. Never leaving our side. Your there to protect us when the storms get rough. Never leaving our side. Our strong tower when we walk through the storms of life. Never leaving our side. Always holding our hand. Never leaving our side. Dear God, keep walking through the storms of life with us. Never leave our side. ~OC

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Modern-Day Abolitionist

January has been designated as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. But for me, human trafficking is a daily fight. In 2007, I became aware of this horrible crime. Since that day, I have dedicated my life to helping end modern day slavery. As we start a new year, I encourage everyone to become more educated on the crime of human trafficking. I believe by working together, we can end this crime that effects over 40 Million People. Will you join me in this fight? ~OC

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Make A Difference

We survived 2020 and are blessed to say hello to 2021. We all have been given 365 days to make a difference. To make a difference in our small part of the world. When we hear about “Making A Difference”we tend to think that’s for someone else. We think about Martin Luther King, Jr. or Mother Teresa. But making a difference could be a smile and saying hello to a stranger. Making a difference could be committing to pray for someone. Making a difference could be a phone call to a loved one. Making a difference could be paying for a strangers meal. Making a difference could be volunteering. Making a difference could be checking on your neighbor. Making a difference could be making a commitment to having lunch with a friend once a week or month. Making a difference could be saying no to hate. Making a difference could be saying no to violence. Making a difference could be saying no to road rage. As you can see, making a difference does not have to be some major undertaking. But it will take a commitment to follow through. I pray we will make a commitment to making a difference in 2021. ~OC

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My New Year’s Prayer

Dear Jesus, I thank you for another year. Last year was filled with many challenges, but also some amazing moments. Both gave us a chance to grow. As we walk into 2021, here is my prayer for the new year.

Teach us grace, that we may walk in forgiveness, Teach us wonder, that we may walk in praise, Teach us goodness, that we may walk as servants, Teach us truth, that we may walk with courage, Teach us love, that we may walk in compassion, Teach us mercy, that we may walk in humility, Dear Jesus, teach us to walk with You, that we may walk with boldness. Amen. ~OC

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Connect: My Word For 2021

Each year God gives me a word for the year. The word God has given me for 2021 is Connect. What word has God given you for 2021?

Connect with Jesus. Connect with family and friends. Connect with strangers. Connect with all those Jesus brings my way. We were created for relationships and connecting with others is vital for living a victorious 2021. Happy New Year! ~OC

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Hope

A person can live 40 days without food, three days without water, eight minutes without air, but only one second without Hope.

We all need hope. It’s what keeps us going when we walk through the storms of life. Hope is the encouragement of life. Hope is what gives us the belief that everything will work out. Hope is what gets us through when things did not work out the way we had hoped. Hope is what helps us take that next breath or next step. Sometimes when we fill drained and beaten up, the only thing that gets us through is hope.

Today I encourage you to spread Hope. Call a relative or friend today. Share a kind word with someone today. Send someone an encouraging text message today. What might take you seconds to type, could change the course of that person’s day. Step out of your comfort zone today and be a Hope Dealer. ~OC

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