Tag: Blessings

Go Rest On High

As I have scrolled through social media the past few weeks, I have been saddened by stories of friends dealing with the death of loved ones. Those stories inspired me to write the following words.

Your mission on earth is now complete. No more pain fills your days. Your journey on earth was filled with ups and downs. But even during the hardest days, you looked up to heaven and gave praise. When the enemy came in the middle of the night, you faced him head on never taking a step back. You reminded the enemy that even on the darkest days, you would continue to praise the one on high.

Now you are looking into the eyes of Jesus rejoicing in praise. He has welcomed you home. No more walking through the pain. Your purpose on earth is now complete. I wish I could have seen your face as the angels led you into the gates of heaven to meet the King. We rejoice as we think about you sitting at the feet of the King of Kings, as he took you by the hand and uttered those beautiful words well done, thou good and faithful servant. I can see the smile on your face as you gazed into his eyes. Go rest on high.

We will continue this journey as we carry your memory in our hearts. We will remember your strength and determination as you faced your darkest days. Some days will be filled with tears, when we pick up the phone to call only to remember you have gone home to the King. We will smile as we recall how you made everyone laugh even during the pain. We will rejoice as we think of the day we join you in heaven and sit at the feet of the King. Go rest on high. ~OC

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Dear Running,

Dear Running,

It is very painful to write these words to you. Running, we have been friends since I was a child. Back then, I loved running through the neighborhood. Not a care in the world. I did not get my drivers license until I was 18 years old because I thought I could just run everywhere. My friends had cars. Why did I need to drive? After high school, you and took a break. We reunited a few times in college, but nothing serious. Just a casual short run every once in awhile. After college you and I drifted apart. Life got busy and I abandoned you. Then in 2003, while having open-heart surgery to remove a cancerous tumor, God spoke to me through a vision and said it was time to reunite with you. Not only to start running again, but to start running marathons. I was under heavy anesthesia, so was this real? Yes indeed, it was real. Not only did God say to start running again, but to share the Gospel through running. Four months after surgery, I started running again. Oh, how nice to see you again old friend. It was like old times. We were back together. One year after my surgery, I completed my first marathon. Oh what a wonderful feeling and experience. As I ran, God gave me the chance to share his amazing love. You and I continued to complete one marathon after another. In 2007, we received a scare when I was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s. My first question to the doctor was “Can I keep on running?” I was overjoyed when the doctor shared I could indeed keep on running. Oh, we had a fun time the next year and a half. In 2008, God blessed me with the opportunity to run a 1,000 miles in one year. We anticipated a wonderful and exciting year of running in 2009. It started off with me completing the Disney Marathon. But something just wasn’t right. Was Parkinson’s starting to come between me and running? We fought hard to stay together. But once again something just wasn’t right. In March of 2009, my body started to betray me. That month, Myasthenia Gravis joined Parkinson’s to wreck my body. They finally broke us up in mid 2009. For the next ten years, I would fight for my life and daydream about you friend. Funny thing about those ten plus years, God kept directing me to buy a new pair of running shoes each year. Was God planning a reunion? It sure didn’t look like it. My health continued to decline. Funeral arrangements were made. Goodbyes were shared. Then on November 3, 2019, a shell of a man walked into a tent revival and was completely healed by our amazing Savior. A month later, God reunited us. In 2020, after not running for over ten years, God blessed me with the opportunity to complete 1,000 miles in ten months. Oh what a feeling. But during 2020, a pandemic rolled in and changed the world. On Super Bowl Sunday 2021, I was introduced to this strange virus called Covid. Little did I know my life was going to be completely changed. Since that Super Bowl Sunday, my body has never been the same. I have tried on many occasions to run again. We had a little success, but there have been many moments of major disappointments.

So it’s with a broken heart, I say one final goodbye to an old friend. We have made some beautiful memories together. But the effects of Covid and some other health issues have made running difficult and not enjoyable. I always dreamed running would be part of my life until Jesus took me home. So on August 4, 2022, I announce my retirement from running. It has been a beautiful crazy journey. Thanks for the memories my friend.

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We Breathe

Everyday We Breathe:

Everyday we breathe, there’s a chance to give.
Everyday we breathe, there’s a chance to share love, peace and unity.
Everyday we breathe, there’s a chance for forgiveness.
Everyday we breathe, there’s a chance for hope.
Everyday we breathe, there’s a chance to laugh.
Everyday we breathe, there’s a chance for reconciliation.
Everyday we breathe, there’s a chance to make a difference. ~OC

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Hello Fear

Hello Fear, you are not welcome here anymore,
I remember when you were my closest companion
You would control my every moment
Hello fear, I thought I was safe in your arms
You were there every second of the day
I would let myself get lost in your life stealing lies
I tried letting you go on many occasions, but you still came calling
Then came the day, I fully surrendered you to the King of Kings
Oh, you still try to slip into my thoughts, but now I cry out to my King and you flee in fear
Hello fear, you can keep trying to take space in my head,
but I will keep calling on the One who died on the cross
to take away your power over me
Hello fear, you can never win
You can keep trying to come back
Hello fear, you can never break me
You used to own a space in my head
I was yours 24 hours a day
Hello fear, I know you are never far away
Some days, I hear you knocking on the door
In the past, I would open that door
Today, I call on the Lord when I hear you knocking and I watch you flee
Hello fear, you don’t own me anymore
You can never again fill my head with your lies
You can keep trying, but now I have the power to keep you at bay
This power does not come from me, but from the King of Kings who lives in me
Dear fear, you can no longer control me
Those days have come to and end
Today’s a new day and my life has changed
I know I have a target on my back
Fear will always be creeping around ever corner,
You will use every storm as on opportunity to slide back into my life
I might bend, but I will never break
I allowed you to rent space in my life for too long
You passed yourself off as a friend for too long
You always showed up on time
But today, you are not welcome
Hello fear, there are no vacancies inside my head
Fear, you have been replaced
Today, peace, freedom and victory have taken up space in my head thanks to the King of Kings. ~OC

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This Journey

Today’s a new day! This journey is not about us. It’s not to show people how strong we are, for our strength comes from God. It’s not to show others how great our faith is, for our faith is a gift from God. It’s not to show people how courageous we are, for our courage comes from God…exactly at the time we need it. Anything people see in us that is good is not of our doing… it’s from Heaven. ~OC

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Step Up Men!

Good morning. God put this on my heart.

Step Up Men! I think one of the biggest problems in our society today are passive men. Men who want authority with no accountability. Our problems are not the result of what is going on in the world. Even though so many men like to use that as an excuse. No, I would say that most of our problems are the result of men who refuse to embrace their God given role in our society and will not be the husband, father and man that God has called us to be. Men, it’s time to step up and stop making excuses. ~OC

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Wake Up!

Jesus put this on my heart.

Wake up Christians! Wake up Churches! It’s time to dusk ourselves off. We have been asleep way too long. It’s time to stomp the ground and invite the Holy Spirit to bathe us in Truth. It’s time for Revival and Spiritual Awakening. It’s time to answer the Holy Spirit’s wake up call!. Let’s go! ~OC

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No Day Is Promised

Good morning. God laid this on my heart. The title is No Day is Promised.

As he wakes up his feet hit the floor, giving his Savior praise for another day. For him another day doesn’t come easy. Every breath is a struggle, but he keeps fighting. He takes one breath at a time and keeps praising his King. He is blessed with another day. Another opportunity for a miracle. No day is promised.

Sometimes when he shuffles down the halls of the hospital, he hears the enemy scream in his ears Dead Man Walking, Dead Man Walking. He refuses to listen to those lies. His body might be weak, but he is not finished fighting. His King has another day for the Man Who Refuses to Die. Another opportunity for a miracle. No day is promised.

Today The Man Who Refused to Die is living out his miracle. His breathing comes easier these days. He no longer is a Dead Man Walking. He keeps praising his King because he knows no day is promised. Today the Dead Man Walking is the Dead Man Running. ~OC

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Hello 2022!

Today’s a new day! The first day of a new year. A new year filled with wonderful opportunities. I pray we do not take this new year and new opportunities for granted. I hope we spend more time helping others. I hope we spend more time cultivating relationships. I hope we will slow down enough to enjoy all that 2022 has for us. ~OC

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Conversation with Jesus

Me: Hey Jesus

Jesus: Hello son.

Me: So many people hurting.

Jesus: Yes.

Me: I don’t like seeing people suffer.

Jesus: I don’t like seeing people suffer either. That was never the plan, but sadly here we are. A broken and hurting world. Guess what my son?

Me: What Jesus?

Jesus: You see the pain, but I feel the hurt, brokenness and pain of everyone walking on planet earth. My heart aches.

Me: Wow!

Jesus: But my child there is something you can do about helping this broken world. At least your part of it.

Me: What? Me?

Jesus: Yes, you. You were created by me. You have all of me in you. People can see you. They can see the Church. Based on what they see in you and the Church, will reflect how they see me. Unfortunately, that picture is not a pretty one. My people and the Church have made it so hard for the world to see my Love, Hope, Peace and Forgiveness. If the lost world could only experience that in you, other believers and the Church. Are you truly willing to surrender everything in your life and serve me?

Me: Yes, Jesus. Use me Jesus.

Jesus: Thank you my son. I will be with you every step of the way. Keep leaning into me.

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