Today’s a new day! I pray your journey would be filled with God’s amazing love and each of your steps would leave behind beautiful drops of His amazing grace. ~OC
My Weakness
Today’s a new day! My weakness makes room for God’s strength. In times that are tiring and uncertain, when I feel I have nothing left in the tank, He shows up and reminds me that there is indeed nothing I can do… and He offers me His strength… because it is more than enough to carry this weight. ~OC
Make The Pledge
We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the issue of Racism in our nation. We have to finally say enough is enough. We have to Rise Up against Division. We have to Demand Change. We have to Rise Up against Hate. We have to share Love. I am encouraging everyone who cares about Love and Justice to Rise Up and take the Pledge to End Racism. Will you Stand Up and make the Pledge with me? ~OC
Thank You, Dr. King
On this day, we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Long after his death, Dr. King’s words and actions continue to inspire us. They continue to challenge us.
Today we take time to remember this amazing man of peace. Dr. King truly lived out the words he wrote and spoke. His words live on, some of the most meaningful ever spoken.
During this time of unrest in our world, I encourage you to stop and reflect on Dr. King’s words. To put those words in action. To come together and live out The Dream. Thank you Dr. King. ~OC
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
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
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
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
Keep Moving
Today’s a new day! Keep moving forward. You have been standing where you are, long enough. The time has come for you to move forward. Don’t look back. Take God’s hand and run with Him into the abundance of his amazing promises. ~OC
A Sad Day
I wake up a little sad this morning. I also wake up this morning with one less friend. No, my friend did not pass away. Sadly, my friend disagreed with something I shared in a group last night. Instead of talking about it in person, this friend decided to question my faith and character in a text. This friend decided their opinions were more important than a friendship.
That is really why I am sad today. When did it become okay to kick a friend to the curb when you have different opinions? Unfortunately, I am hearing more and more stories like mine these days. I remember a time when two friends with opposing views, could have a wonderful conversation and still walk away friends. Most of the time better friends. Sadly, those days appear to be slipping away. Today, it has become Them vs. US. Guess what? There is only US. If we continue to walk in a Them vs. US mentality, we will continue live in a divided world.
For me, I will continue to love everyone; even when their opinion differs from mine. I will continue to embrace dialogue. I will continue to embrace different opinions. I will continue to embrace diversity. I promise, I will not kick you to the curb when we disagree. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 