Today’s a new day! An apology means nothing, if there is no action and change behind it. ~OC
Walk With a Limp
Today’s a new day! As I continue to walk out my faith journey, I have experienced wilderness moments on more than one occasion. Those moments when life just beats you up. During those seasons, I am always reminded that I am not God. During the tough seasons in life, I am thankful that God still wants to have regular face to face encounters with me. He wants to hear about my thoughts and concerns. God desires to hear from us and to speak to us. As I continue to walk this journey called life, I am often reminded that my thoughts and opinions cannot compare to the divine, sacred and loving wisdom of our amazing Savior.
As I continue to walk out my faith journey, I no longer walk straight. No, these days I walk with a limp. A beautiful reminder of everything God has brought me through. The struggles I have overcome. As I write this post, I am reminded of the quote by well-known Christian pastor and author, A.W. Tozer, who wrote, “Beware of any Christian who doesn’t walk with a limp.”
Dear Friends, our world does not need more people screaming from the rooftops and declaring that their opinions are the only ones that matter. No, we desperately need more limping Christians, who have walked through the wilderness and encountered God in a powerful and life changing way. We need more Christians walking with a limp, who are more passionate about helping those individuals who are currently walking through their own wilderness experience and who are less concerned about their own opinions.
I believe as we look at today’s headlines and the world around us, we need to stand up and speak out for what is right—to seek justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. I also believe these days are ones to walk with a limp in humility, kindness, love and grace. I pray we will spend more time seeking God’s purpose for our lives and less time screaming that our opinions are the only ones that matter. Today, I pray we walk with a limp. ~OC
It’s Time
Today’s a new day! As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, I wanted to share the following with you. ~OC
Today, It’s our calling to support our friends, colleagues, and family members and to stand against senseless acts of violence and systemic racism. We need each other now more than ever if this nation is to ever truly move forward and heal the broken systems established years ago.
It’s time we stand in solidarity as individuals and communities to change a system that has been filled with racism for way too long.
It’s time we educate ourselves.
It’s time we change our broken systems.
It’s time we respect our black brothers, sisters, and People of Color.
It’s time we demand equal rights for all.
It’s time we allow the destruction for powerful reform to take place.
It’s time to accept and respect each other regardless of our differences.
It’s time we stopped using hate to conquer hate.
It’s time we truly love our black brothers and sisters. And not just for the month of February.
It’s time we bring real change to America and beyond.
The Power of Groups
Today’s a new day! I believe committed individuals and a small group of passionate people can help change the world.
Let me remind you that Jesus chose a small group of disciples to share an example of what happens when a group of committed individuals come together for a greater purpose. If we follow just that example, we can see how a small group of people can change their communities and beyond. Just think, we are still talking about twelve individuals who came together and committed themselves to the cause of Christ, thousands of years later. Small groups are still the primary focus of most churches, especially ones that want to accomplish purposeful ministry.
I can look no further than my godson Ricky Aiken, who saw a need in his community and started Inner City Innovators (https://innercityinnovators.org/), which is not just making a difference in Ricky’s community, but communities across America. One person with a dream and some committed people to help him develop and create a life changing organization.
As we celebrate Black History Month, I think about some unknown heroes who were committed to the Civil Rights Movement. They are the individuals and families that opened up their homes to the leaders in the Movement because they were not allowed to stay in most hotels or restaurants in the South. These individuals and families offered food, rest, conversation and shelter to the heroes we read about in history. A group of unassuming individuals and families opening their homes and encouraging the Civil Rights leaders, as they led peaceful marches and protest across the south. Without these kind and loving souls, the bodies and minds of the great leaders of the Civil Rights Movement might not have carried on.
Small groups of humans, just like your friends or colleagues that gather for common themed conversations, have been changing the world since the days of the caveman. It is no surprise, at least now reflecting on each phase of my own life that every step I have taken to make an impact for the greater good has been in the company of a small group of people with similar questions, passions, ideas and the determination to take action.
What is your mission and purpose in life and who will sit around the table with you to help encourage and support your dream to make a difference? ~OC
“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”” ~Matthew 18:20
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead
“While others hit the streets, marching, singing protest songs and risking arrest, these women made their contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in their kitchens.” – Rosalind Bently, Hostesses of the Movement
Seasons of Life
Today’s a new day! The seasons of life bring change.
They bring good. They also bring new challenges. But as each season before always prepares for the next…. So does the seasons of life. Storms and droughts will come. But so does Spring and sunshine and rain clouds.
It’s often darkest before the dawn. And although we won’t forget the dark and hard times… they are what get us ready for the next season.
The night gets ready for day.
And day gets ready for night.
Such is life.
Each season has a storm of its own kind. But it also has it’s beauty. Don’t miss either!
Such is Life. ~OC
Today’s My Birthday
Today’s a new day! Another December is here, which means the month of my birth. Today, December 4th is actually my birthday. Some people reading this or watching this video will be surprised. You see, most of my friends have never known the date of my birthday. I have never been one to celebrate my birthday. For me it’s always just been another day of the year. No reason to stop and celebrate. Until this year. Here is why.
A few months ago, I was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. So in my dark humor way, I think is this the last birthday I will actually remember. A few may not find that funny, but this is my journey so I get to tell the jokes. Also later this morning, my bride and I will meet with some of my doctors to discuss a concerning MRI that is revealing some suspicious tumors. That visit may or may not change the outlook on my life moving forward.
But the dementia diagnosis and what might happen at my medical appointment this morning, will not change how I choose to live out my journey. Okay,maybe a little since I did just reveal the date of my birthday. But I promise you, I will not allow my declining health define my future. I will never be the “sick guy.” No, I will continue to overcome all the odds stacked against me and I will thrive.
Instead of acting like today is just another day, I will spend some time reflecting on all of my blessings and celebrate the day God brought me into this world. I will be thankful. ~OC
The Power of One
Today’s a new day! More importantly, it’s Rosa Parks Day. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks changed the course of history with one act. Ms. Parks refused to give up her seat on the city bus to a white passenger, as the unjust law demanded her to do during that time of American History. She was removed from the bus and arrested. Yet her spontaneous defiance sparked the ensuing Montgomery Bus Boycott, a movement of blacks and whites that took shape within hours of her arrest and advanced the civil rights movement across the United States. The boycott lasted 381 days. A time in which black commuters walked, rode bikes, or accepted rides from sympathetic supporters — until a district court ruling declared bus segregation unconstitutional. This ruling was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, striking down the practice across the country. And this was just the beginning: the boycott galvanized a national network of support, and created a framework of committed activists, that would form the backbone of the civil rights movement for decades to come. ~OC
“People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically… No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” ~Rosa Parks
A Trip Back to 2016…Never Again
Today’s a new day! Let’s take a trip back to the election season of 2016. It’s an election season that changed America and the world forever. And I believe personally for the worst. In 2016, I saw so many white pastors, white Christian leaders and many white Christian’s trash their moral compass to gain political power.
There are many issues I could point to, but one area I want to address is loving everyone. There are many scriptures that discuss the importance of “Loving your neighbors.” All of our neighbors! Below are some scriptures I think many Christians, including myself need to review.
“‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Matthew 12:31
“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Matthew 5:44
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
As a longtime white Christian, I have been heartbroken to see so many white Christians focused not on loving all of their neighbors, but rather having an enemy that must be hated. Fear of these enemies is the ultimate motivator, not love. I have witnessed some white Christians create, fabricate and inflame hate for those they disagree with. Sadly, so many white Christians have chosen fear and hate over the love of a Savior they claim to serve. Here are some examples of how so many “White Christian Nationalists”are choosing to live their hate filled lives…
If they love minorities as themselves they fear the minorities will take over the church and society, and they’ll lose their white way of life. Their white privilege.
If they love African-Americans as themselves, they might have to take a real look at racism, true equality, true police accountability, true legal fairness, true economic justice, and true opportunity.
If they love the LGBTQ+ community as themselves, they’ll have to look past their hate and see a real human being. They will find people who love their families and only want to live a peaceful and better life.
If they love the least-of-these as themselves with economic equality, affordable health care, a real living wage, social security, long-term care, educational fairness and the removal of poverty they will have to come to terms with a thriving economy where everyone has a chance at the “American Dream.”
“Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least among you, you did not do for me.’” -Matthew 25:41-45
“He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich–both come to poverty.” -Proverbs 22:16
“Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” -Ezekiel 16:49
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” James 2:8-9
In these scriptures, we see where God admonishes that our highest motivation should be the unconditional love and care for all of humanity equally. In contrast, there is truly no other fuel that drives White Christian Nationalism than having enemies to fear, hate, marginalize, fight, and treat unequally.
This is why the former president has the addictive support and allegiance of this UnChristian group of White Christian Nationalist. For the only thing they understand is fear, and the former president speaks their language like no other. He mocks special needs people, bullies his perceived enemies, embraces racism, fosters white supremacy, mistreats women, ignites division, worships greed, and loves himself above all things.
Biblically, this is the ultimate blaspheme of the Spirit.
To see love as the enemy.
To see fear as the friend.
To see enemies as the goal.
To fight at all cost, with lies, violence, duplicity, and sin.
To see a white, conservative, Republican, American Jesus as the way, truth, and life.
To see white, conservative Evangelicalism as the Kingdom.
Sorry, I want a President with whom love is greater than fear. I want a country where to love all people equally is a friend and not an enemy. I want see character in a flawed leader, a great society, a great economy, and a great nation to be defined by its love for all people equally, not fear nor hate.
I choose this way of life because the Bible commands me to. ~OC
A Gift
Today’s a new day! Imagine, you’re given a gift. When you take a peak inside, it seems more like a curse than a gift. This gift is unfortunately going to cause pain and loss. But this gift is also going to radically change your life and the lives around you. This gift is going to bring family and friends together. You will reconnect with friends and acquaintances that you haven’t heard from in years.
This gift will redefine your faith and your purpose in life. The small things in life will mean more to you. Conversations with friends and strangers will take on a new whole meaning. You will not feel rushed. That next meeting can wait. You will form new friendships that will change your life.
You will be challenged. Oh, the challenges will be real. But you will also be inspired, motivated and humbled. Peace, happiness and love will take on a whole new meaning.
By know, your mind is running in circles trying to figure out this gift. You might be thinking where can I get this incredible gift? Can I order it off of Amazon? Is there a waiting list? Probably not. This gift came to me twenty-two years ago. You cannot really wrap it up in a box and make it look pretty. The gift I am talking about is several life threatening health issues. This gift keeps on taking my life.
And while I am maintaining at this time, I would not wish this gift for you or anyone. I doubt you would ever want this gift. But I personally would never return this gift. It has profoundly changed my life for the better. I would probably need several days to share all the beautiful lessons this gift has given me.
So the next time you face something that’s unwanted, unexpected and uncertain, take a moment to consider it might just be a gift. ~OC
Let’s Go!
Today’s a new day! Dear Champion, Warrior, Overcomer,
As we start this new week, I want to encourage you that God has uniquely wired and placed you right where you are for this season.
Each of you has been placed in your neighborhood, workplace, and your circle of influence for this moment in time. To be used right where God has you planted and growing.
When you decide to not be afraid of the darkness and begin to push past it into the light, it changes everything. People begin to change.
But what does it look like when you begin to use your gifts and push past the darkness? It can be as simple as…
A pray group at your house or on Zoom.
A prayer group outside a local school, prison or hospital.
Standing up and speaking out for the marginalized and persecuted.
Having a weekly dinner at your house.
A weekly prayer breakfast in person or online.
Living a life of service rather than a life of feeling stuck by all the negativity you see around you.
You have been created for this moment to be part of God’s life changing plan to push past the darkness and negativity of this world and be part of establishing God’s beautiful light in your community. Let’s go! ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 