Tag: Choice

What Is A Good Friend?

Today’s a new day! As we celebrate this Christmas season, hopefully we will be surrounded by good friends. Which begs the question, What is a good friend?

We all have heard the saying “You don’t know who your true friends are until life smacks you in the face.” True friends will reveal themselves during the storms of life.

As I have traveled my crazy beautiful health journey, I have been blessed with a few friends who have never left the boat. Friends who have truly went to battle with me.

Here are a few lessons I have learned about holding on to the real, ride or die friendships.

First, who are the true friends sitting in the boat with you during the toughest times? Take time to think back on the worst times in your life and who are the friends that never left your side? Also think about those friends you expected to be by your side, but ultimately they were not. Do not spend too much time dwelling on those friends. Let it go.

Second, think back on those true friends who have walked through the fire with you. Give those friendships the time and nurturing they deserve. Embrace them. I love 1 Thessalonians 5:11 which states “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” Are we doing this?

Third, never take those true friendships for granted. Sadly, too many people take friendships for granted. True friendships are a beautiful gift from God. He designed each of us for relationship. Never overlook the importance of genuine friendship.

When you find God-ordained relationships hold on to them. Embrace them. Treasure those friends who treasure you. Build into those friendships that will bring enrichment to both parties.

Have you been blessed with real ride or die friendships? If so let them know. Give thanks for each of them. ~OC

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Resiliency

Today’s a new day! Nothing is wasted by God and that through all things, God is working for the good of those who love Jesus and for His ultimate glory. If we truly lean into the truth of God’s word, there is not a single circumstance that happens outside of the sovereignty of God’s authority and if it is not outside of His authority, it is being used by Him for our good and for His Glory. Resiliency.

Cancer, Parkinson’s, Myasthenia Gravis, Gastroparesis, Covid Long Hauler’s all under God’s authority. All the storms of life under His authority. As I have walked through the above health issues, I have chosen to totally put my trust in God. Leaning into the amazing truth, that God has used every health issue I have faced and am currently facing for His glory. I want to be in the middle of everything God is doing in my life. Because if it’s for His Glory, it is inherently for my good. If it is for my good, I can keep persevering through the tough moments. That is resilience. Course correcting through the storms of life, through hardships, through trial after trail … being brought back to the foot of the Cross with the truth that it is all for His Glory and my good. Resiliency. ~OC

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New Book

Today’s a new day! The new book is out. Thanks for all the love and support. This book is 20 years in the making. The majority of the book was written from my hospital room on 4South at Good Samaritan Medical Center. A fun fact. I have written both of my books on my Apple iPhone. I continue to live a blessed life. ~OC

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Drop Your Stones

Today’s a new day! With all the division in the world, it’s easy to throw stones at those we disagree with. My hope and prayer is we will learn to love and respect everyone God allows us to meet on this journey called life. I pray we will drop our life destroying stones.

Drop the stone of Hate.

Drop the stone of Fear.

Drop the stone of Division.

Drop the stone of Unforgiveness.

Drop the stone of Racism.

Drop the stone of Selfishness.

Drop the stone of Pride.

Drop the stone of Comparison.

Drop the stone of Political Parties.

Obviously I could add more, but I believe you get the point. Drop any stone that is distracting you from showing the love and peace of God. Blessings. ~OC

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Choose Joy

Today’s a new day! I have learned through the storms of life that joy and happiness are things we have to become intentional about. It’s about the decisions we make moment by moment.

So many people allow everyday joy to escape them because they are focused on what they don’t like, what their lacking, and what is broken. Easy to do. We can allow our circumstances and comparing ourselves to others to rob of us of happiness and joy. What I have learned through my own life storms is when I want to have a pity party, is that the best use of my time. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I have chosen to find the things that I am grateful for as I navigate through the crashing waves.

One of the most positive things I have ever done in my life is to journal and share my story. What has been so interesting and encouraging is hearing the feedback back from those walking through their own battles. As I have heard the inspiring stories of others, I have been filled with gratitude. My circumstances may have not changed, but I did. I chose a new way of looking at life.

I have had the privilege of praying with people during the worst moments of their lives. But instead of being caught up in the negativity of the moment, they were filled with joy. How can that be? I honestly believe that joy is less circumstantial and more an inward reality that is fueled from a heart of faith and gratitude. People that choose to live with more hope and joy view life differently. Peace, Hope and Joy become a lifestyle. They embrace and savor every moment of life.

In these challenging times when there is so much negative news swirling around us, it’s so important for us to take care of ourselves and those around us. We need to laugh, have fun, take a trip and embrace some joy breaks along this journey called life. I encourage everyone to find joy by making time for it and becoming intentional about it. Choose joy and choose it every day. ~OC

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Men and Friendships

Today’s a new day! Hello men. This post is for us. I want to get real about friendships. Based on my own experience and talking with other men, we are mostly failing in the area of friendship. Most men I have talked to share they have many surface friendships, but lack deep meaningful friendships. Can any other men relate?

I personally want to have intentional friendships that have meaning and depth. It appears so many men are happy with surface friendships. They fear deep intimate friendships. The casual version of friendship is sadly repeated over and over again and not just with guys outside the church. Men in the church are not doing much better. From my own observation, most men lack true friendships and happily settle for less. We use phrases like he’s my buddy or bro. These are not bad relationships, but just other men who do not understand the importance of having intentional friendships.

I could go into deep reasons why so many men lack deep friendships with other men, but so many of them are just excuses. Most of the time it comes down to laziness. Men like to use the excuse of being too busy. But that doesn’t fly. Go check with your wife or girlfriend. Their schedules are just as busy if not busier than yours, but they still find time for deep and meaningful friendships. As men we settle for less because we do not want to put in the time and effort.

Where are your friends that you can lean on and that can lean on you? Can you pray with them? Can you talk about real life with them? Your failures and successes. Over the years, I have observed too many men are scared to share their wounds, emotions, or real life issues with other men. The best example of a man we have is Jesus. He cried, he got angry, he had a tender heart. He chose to invest in real relationships with 12 other men. He dared to hold those men accountable. To walk through life together. The good and bad. To serve together. Do you have those type of men in your life? We all need men we can challenge and men who will challenge us to be better men. We need to be intentional in our friendships with other men.

So I want to encourage you and myself to do the following:

*Chose to take a risk and open up to some of the men in your life. See what happens. Jesus was not afraid to be vulnerable.

*Chose to be a better friend. Start to be intentional and sacrificial for other men. Asked the tough questions. Listen without interrupting or trying to fix the problem. Share your hopes, failures and dreams. Pray together.

*Chose to pray that God places Godly men into your life, then be on the lookout for them.

Notice how Jesus chose to be open and honest with the disciples. He chose to serve them and together serve others. Jesus chose to be intentional with these 12 men. Are we willing to do that with the men in our lives? It might not be easy, but I promise it will be life changing if we choose to put in the time and effort. No more excuses men. ~OC

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Adversity

Today’s a new day! We will all face adversity in our lives. I pray as we face the challenges of life, we take the opportunity to set an example of the love, peace and grace of God. When those around us see us facing the storms of life with unwavering love and patience, they see a true example of a Christian walking out their faith. ~OC

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Be Kind Always

Today’s a new day! I mostly write about life and the lessons God continues to teach me. Some lessons can be tough to walk through. Being open and honest about my crazy, beautiful journey on social media can be challenging. I choose to share some of my toughest moments because I truly believe sharing our stories can help others. Even if it’s just one person. Remember, everyone is going through something in life.

The point is, you never know what storms people are dealing with inside, nor what they’ve had to face in life. As I have been open about health journey the last 20 years, many people have shared their own life experiences with me. I have been uplifted and heartbroken at what some friends and strangers have shared with me in confidence. They have not shared these thoughts and feelings with their own family. You just never know the struggles people are walking through.

That is why we need to show love and grace to everyone we encounter. Everyone is walking though a storm we know nothing about. I encourage everyone, including myself to stop and listen to our loved ones and the stranger at the coffee shop. You might be the one God has chosen to walk with that person through the storm they are facing. Do not miss out on a beautiful interruption. Be kind always. ~OC

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I Choose

Today’s a new day! Life is not for the faint of heart. To live, really live, requires courage. It takes courage to face the storms of life and overcome its challenges. We set goals and work to achieve them, some days we make progress and other days seem to stand still. We have to make the choice to keep moving forward.

Facing multiple incurable diseases is not for the faint of heart. But I keep making the choice to live my best life. I will never let the long list of incurable illnesses define me. I am a child of God’s. Made in His image. I will continue to make the choice to live with hope. I will keep making the choice to encourage others. I look forward to living this crazy beautiful journey with each of you, as we courageously live each and every day. Blessings. ~OC

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Halloween

Halloween:

As I scroll through social media, I see a lot of post about Halloween. Some people love this holiday and some do not based on their faith. So as a Christian, I wanted to share my thoughts on this subject. I believe how people of faith react to Halloween is important.

Please do not judge another person on how they decide to celebrate or not celebrate Halloween. Whatever your beliefs about Halloween, live them out for God’s glory. Yes, Christians may differ in our beliefs about this holiday. Maybe some Christian friends chooses not to do anything at all and their family turns out all the lights and refuses to even say the word Halloween. That is their choice. We do know what life experience might have led them to this point of view. Maybe another friend decorates their entire house and embraces this time of year. Once again, we do not know what experience might have led them to this point of view. I personally do not have a problem with either decision. I also do not have a problem with churches having nothing to do with Halloween or other churches having alternative events at their church. Once again their decision.

I encourage all Christians to show love and grace regardless of your point of view. Let our brothers and sisters freely live out their convictions and keep your own convictions between you, God and your family.

Is there a right or wrong answer about how a person celebrates Halloween? I think the only way to know is to seek the Lord on your own about it. He will show you the way for you and your family. ~OC

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