Hello. As some of you know, a documentary was done on my almost 18 year health battle with multiple life threatening health issues. It will be released this Wednesday 11/17 at 8pm. It is being released on several platforms, but the free option will be shown on our YouTube channel Dead Man Running The Todd Shoemaker Story (@deadmanrunningthemovie). For more information check out our website http://www.deadmanrunningmovie.com Here is the official music video for the documentary. ~OC
United
In a divisive age, it’s easy to get caught up in our many differences. From denominational differences, political beliefs, even our favorite sports teams. We tend to argue a lot. With drama flooding our every interaction on social media to the real world, we can feel stressed. angry and alone. But are we really as different as we think?
There’s no escaping our many differences. They’re broadcast to us daily across social media, news outlets,work places and even our places of worship. We are hearing voices of disagreements from people of all walks of life. Sometimes, it feels like nobody is even trying to listen. These are trying times.
It’s tough to admit, but we tend to turn a small disagreement into WWIII. When truth be told, we have much in common with our brothers and sisters in Christ. For example, we are all sinners. We all need forgiveness. We all need grace. We all need love. We all need Jesus.
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should all be united in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Some of us attend different demonstrations. Those denominations have different ways of doing things. But at the end of the day, if we believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose three days later and is coming back for His children, we should rejoice together and lay our differences at the foot of the Cross. We should stand United. ~OC
Blessed Obedience
On Wednesday November 3,2021, I celebrated the 2nd anniversary of my amazing miracle. Sometimes I am still overwhelmed that with just weeks to live in 2019, Jesus used an old-fashioned tent meeting to do a miracle. What a beautiful ride the last two years have been.
To celebrate my 2nd anniversary, I attended a night of worship with Elevation Worship and Steven Furtick. Funny thing is, I did not plan on attending this incredible event. I have been so busy promoting our documentary Dead Man Running The Todd Shoemaker Story, I really did not have the time and frankly the energy to attend. But Jesus had other plans. Around 4:30pm the day of the concert, Jesus put it on my heart to attend. Really Jesus? The concert starts at 7pm. The concert is over an hour away. Are there any tickets left? So I jumped on my computer to look for a ticket. Jesus, I really do not want to be in the nose bleed seats. Also, I really do not want to spend a lot of money on the ticket. Unfortunately Laura could not attend, so I only needed one ticket. As I searched the concert site, I found one floor ticket in my price range. Praise Jesus. Okay Jesus, I have my ticket in hand. Why in the last minute, did you put it on my heart to attend this night of worship?
As I entered the arena, I felt the Holy Spirit moving throughout the building. I started getting excited. I found my seat and started to pray. A little later a young lady took her seat next to me. Then the music started. The praises went up and the presence of the Holy Spirit got stronger. As I was praising with the rest of the crowd, I had an overwhelming feeling the young lady next to me was walking through a major battle. I began to silently pray for her. Then something amazing happened. Pastor Steven Furtick encouraged the audience to ask the person next to them what they needed prayer for. So I turned to this young lady and asked how could I pray for you? She shared she had been dealing with cancer for a number of years and needed prayer. Sick for a number of years and needing a miracle. I could relate to that. So I prayed over this young lady that Jesus would completely heal her. She thanked me and we sat down. But things did not end there. After the concert, I was able to connect this young lady with a wonderful Christian Cancer Support Group. We exchanged numbers so she could reach me if she needed some encouragement. What a blessed encounter.
So Jesus, that’s why you wanted me to attend this concert. To have a beautiful encounter with someone who needs a miracle, just like I did back on November 3, 2019. Did that young lady get her miracle that night? I don’t know. Will she experience a miracle in the future. I don’t know. Only Jesus knows that. But I know she left that arena walking in her miracle. I was obedient to the calling Jesus put on my heart to attend that concert. I was obedient to pray for that young lady sitting next to me. The lesson is to be available and obedient when Jesus calls us to go. Even when he calls you to attend a concert. By the way, Elevation Worship and Steven Furtick were amazing. A beautiful blessed night of obedience. Thank you Jesus! ~OC
Radical Obedience
Today’s a new day! Radical obedience to Jesus does not seek to conform to the standards set by the world. No, radical obedience to Jesus is completely laying everything at his feet. Radical obedience is pursuing Jesus at all cost. Radical obedience is saying yes to Jesus when he says “Sell it all and go serve me.” Are you walking in radical obedience to Jesus?
I pray every Christian will pray this prayer each morning: Dear Jesus, fill me with your radical faith that does not waver in hard times.
A Life of Surrender
Today’s a new day! I would encourage everyone to search our hearts and ask ourselves, “Have I totally surrendered every area of my life to Jesus?” I am not talking about the time we asked Jesus into our life. No, I am not talking about our salvation. I am talking about living a completely surrendered life to Jesus. Living a life that is willing to be honest and raw. Living a life willing to believe and live out the scriptures. Living a life willing to believe that when Jesus went to the cross He paid our sin debt in full. Living a life trusting Jesus has a beautiful plan for each area of our lives. Living a life acknowledging that Jesus has the right to expect us to say, I Surrender All. ~OC
Scars vs. Wounds
Today’s a new day! Are you scarred or wounded in life? There is a huge difference between the two.
You see, your scars tell the story of everything God has brought you through in life. When I look at my own physical scars, It’s a reminder of the storms I have faced in life. I have a personal story for each scar. But those scars also remind me of the beautiful healing God has done in my life. Healing from the darkest storms of life.
Wounds are a different battle. When we are wounded, that usually means the healing is not complete. We are still walking through the storm. The wound still needs care. Most of the time those wounds are deep. They may be physical wounds, but most of the time they are deeper than just physical wounds. They are emotional wounds. Relationship wounds. Spiritual wounds. Wounds that go deep and need more care. Wounds that are repeatedly opened. But I have good news. Amazing news in fact. God can heal the deepest wounds in our lives. Not only can God completely heal those wounds, He desires to bring complete healing to our deepest wounds.
So today I encourage everyone that is wounded, to lay those wounds down at the foot of the Cross. Allow God to begin healing the deepest wounds in your life. Stop holding onto those wounds. Stop allowing them to be your identity. Today, let God begin to turn your deepest wounds into beautiful scars. Allow those scars to become testimonies. ~OC
Godly Friendships
Today’s a new day! As we walk through life we need true friendships with no secrets or hidden agendas. We need Godly friendships filled not with condemnation; but instead filled with grace. Godly friendships filled with forgiveness when one of our friends let’s us down. Godly friendships so strong we do not run away at the first sign of trouble. Godly friendships were we can tell our complete stories. Stories filled with failures, struggles, heartbreak and temptations. But also share stories filled with success and adventure. Godly friendships where we can freely share our deepest hopes, fears and dreams. Godly friendships where we will still be deeply loved and accepted even when the mask is taken off. Godly friendships where our true friends believe in us. God created each of us with a desire for relationships. It’s part of our DNA. We cannot escape it. We were created to be in deep meaningful friendships. God did not create us to be alone. If we try walking this journey alone, we are missing out on one of God’s greatest gifts. The gift of true friendship. So stop making excuses. Stop allowing past hurts to keep you from finding true Godly friendships. Step up and step into Godly Friendships. ~OC
Surrender
Most people do not like the word Surrender. For many the word means giving up or losing. This is especially true in the me first culture of today. But if we want to truly walk as a disciple of God’s, we cannot skate over the beautiful truth of surrendering.
When our bodies are out of alignment, we can definitely feel it. If we do not have our doctor check things out, our bodies will continue to decline. Not just physically, but emotionally, mentally and spiritually. We will start experiencing more defeats than victories.
Until we bring our thoughts and actions into proper alignment with God, we will continue to wear out. We will continue being out of alignment. But when we completely lay everything at the foot of the Cross, we become properly aligned with the will of God. Our hopes and dreams stop being centered around us and start being centered on the will of our Heavenly Father.
When we get caught up in the culture of the world, it can be tough to get realigned with the will of God. But surrendering everything to God is the first step to living a victorious and abundant life. I pray you take that first step today. ~OC
Unity
Today’s a new day! Unity is something we desperately need in our world these days. We are surrounded by so much division. All you have to do is scroll through social media, turn on the news or go to a family get together. The Us vs.Them mentality has divided nations, families and churches. But the truth is, there is no such thing as Us vs. Them. There is only Us. Until we embrace this truth, we will continue to have division in our communities, state, nation and world.
So here’s my challenge. In our world today. I hope you will join me in praying daily for God’s love, forgiveness and grace to be poured out all across the world. May we each humble ourselves and pray for unity in our families, communities and churches. May our world experience a beautiful healing. ~OC
Be Kind
Today’s a new day! Check on your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. A smile or positive social media post doesn’t mean everything is okay. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 