Today’s a new day! As Christian’s, the way we treat people can drive them out of the church or to the foot of the alter. Chose wisely. ~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
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
Joy Filled Life
Today’s a new day! I think most people want to live a positive, joy filled life. I know I do. Here are four things I believe can help us achieve that goal.
*Fill our hearts and minds with positive thoughts. Let’s refuse to allow our hearts and minds to be filled with negativity.
*Fill our speech with positive words. Let’s guard what comes out of our mouths and what we share on social media.
*Fill our lives with positive places and situations. Where are you spending your time?
*Fill our lives with positive, joy filled people. Remember, we get to choose who we allow into our lives.
I hope you will spend some time reflecting on these four points today. I pray your day is filled with amazing moments and God’s blessings. ~OC
Character Should Still Matter
Today’s a new day! My name is Todd Shoemaker. I speak as a Christian, husband, son, friend, missionary, abolitionist, author and a broken person who needs God on a daily basis. Probably on an hourly basis.
I do not believe that pastors and churches should endorse political candidates or political parties. I do not believe “voter guides” or any other kind of party-politics should be inside a place of worship. I believe people should be able to walk into a place of worship and feel comfortable, regardless of their political beliefs. Jesus is not a Democrat, Republican or Independent.
I believe Jesus is Lord. The passing of power from one political leader to another does not change that. So why should I be anxious about such things? Second, no political party or politician has ever fully represented my Christian beliefs.
But there is an issue I have decided I need to say something about. And that issue is former President Donald Trump. I oppose his election as President. I believe his election would be dangerous to our country, the world and to the Church.
I do not believe that Mr. Trump has the best interest of our country in mind. Rather, I believe he has shown concern only for himself and his personal advancement. His focus on himself as a “winner” and others as “losers,” his obsession with polls, his demagoguery (“I could kill someone and people would still support me”), and more lead me to this conclusion.
The former president is endlessly treating the election has a reality show. But it’s not. This is real life, with real consequences. And America, the world and the Church have seen this movie before. I do not believe we need to live through a sequel.
I believe that Mr. Trump holds and proclaims racist, sexist, and violent attitudes that are in direct opposition to the Christian message, and to the good of our nation and world. Things he has said about women and minorities (in specific and in general), his mockery of the office of the Presidency, his foul and abusive language directed at opponents, his call for the military to arrest what he calls “Enemies Within America” and more—all of these lead me to this conclusion.
I believe that Mr. Trump has continuously taking the Name of the Lord in vain. He has misused the Faith by claiming to be “a great Christian” while his words and actions—not seeking forgiveness from God and his cynical pandering to evangelicals.
I believe that Mr. Trump has lowered the level of political discourse to that of a school yard bully. I believe that if he succeeds in securing a second term his level of vitriol and obscenity will become stronger than it already is. There will be no guardrails to protect us this time around.
I also happen to disagree with Mr. Trump on several issues, but that isn’t the point. I disagree with all the candidates on certain issues. My opposition to the former president is not about his political party or his political beliefs; this is about his character. This is about democracy and the future of the United States of America.
I believe character should matters to the nation, world and the Church. In the past Presidents have had limited power in domestic issues; they have had to deal with the congress and the courts. But if Mr. Trump wins a second term that may not be the case. I believe he would try and use the Justice Department and the military for his own selfish agenda.
If Mr. Trump is elected he will have the power to separate us from our allies and strengthen our foes. All of this he could do in the name of Christ, a Name he pulls out whenever it suits him. I have no reason to believe he will show anything like godly restraint. He will once again become face of America, and the face of Christianity, to billions of people around the world. That didn’t go well the first time around.
So on November 5th, I will be voting against Mr. Trump. This is my choice, and I am not telling anyone else what to do. Everyone is free to make their own decision, and follow their conscience.
Prayer is the most powerful tool I have, and I’ll be doing that too. I pray for Mr. Trump, Vice-President Harris and all of the candidates running for office.
I believe Jesus is Lord. He will continue to reign no matter what. But at the same time, evil triumphs when good people remain silent. I trust in the Lord, and I must speak out. I must vote. ~OC
A Big Question
Today’s a new day! What is keeping you from living the complete life? I know that is a big question, with many potential answers. But God designed each of us to live a complete whole life.
Here are a few things, I believe can help us live out the life God created for each of us.
A New Chapter. Too many of us are living in the past. We continue to relive past disappointments. Past failures. Or sometimes we live in past successes. We all know someone, who is eager to tell us about winning the 5th grade all county championship forty years ago. Don’t get me wrong, we should celebrate past successes. We should also learn from past mistakes. But we cannot live in the past. The great thing is, we have the opportunity to start a new chapter each morning. So close the chapter on your past and start writing a new one.
Worthy. Has anyone told you lately you are worthy? That you are important. No matter your past, God finds you worthy. He sent his Son down from heaven to die for us. I think that proves how worthy we are in God’s eyes.
Comfort Zone. I believe to live the whole life that God created for us, we have to step out of our comfort zones. We have to be willing to take some chances in life. God designed us to be creative. To be adventurous. We cannot truly experience life, if we choose to stay in our nice easy comfortable zones.
Labels. Stop wearing the labels the world puts on us. How many people continue to wear the labels put on them as a child? Not smart enough. Too short. Too weird. Too heavy. Too tall. Your from the wrong side of the tracks. So many people continue to wear these labels into adulthood. Today, I encourage you to take those labels off. Trash them. You are more than a label. You were created by a loving God to live an incredible life. To Dream. To Succeed. To Thrive.
Courage. It will take courage to start feeling Worthy. It will take courage to step out of your Comfort Zone. It will take courage to take off the Labels you have been wearing for years. But I promise you it will be worth it.
Today, I encourage each of us to think about these five points. To start living the incredible life, God has created us to live. Will you make a commitment to living wholeheartedly? ~OC
Me Without You
Running this morning and got caught by the red light. Saw a homeless man staring at me
He was holding a sign that read Need A Little Help and God Bless
A sign of the times
As the light changed and I started running again, I looked back and couldn’t help but think I knew that man
That thought pierced my heart
Later that day on my way home
I noticed another man sitting on the side of the road talking to himself
He looked lost, sad and angry
He was not in a good state of mind
As I drove by, I looked back
I couldn’t help but think I knew that man
That thought pierced my heart
In the middle of the night as I tossed and turned, I thought about those two men, then truth hit me and pierced my heart
I sat up and cried out to God
That could be me without You
Only by the grace of God am I sleeping in a comfortable bed and not under a bridge or wondering around in a lost state of mind
God, I praise you for your blessings and grace
I saw a man on the news
He looked like a regular guy, but his life had taken a different turn, he was going to spend the rest of his days locked away surrounded by prison walls
As the story ended, I couldn’t help but think I knew that man
That thought pierced my heart
All day, I thought about that man from the news and wondered what led him astray
Then it hit me straight in my heart
I looked up to Heaven and cried out to God
That could be me without You
Only by the grace of God am I living in freedom and not locked away in a prison cell
God I praise you for your blessings and grace
As I travel around town and see all the pain and broken dreams, I close my eyes and realize how different my life would be and I look up to Heaven and give praise
Dear God, those could be my stories without you
Thank you for saving me
And praise You for your blessings and grace ~OC
Choose Wisely
Today’s a new day! As I run this crazy beautiful health journey, there is nothing I can do to change my current prognosis. But there is something I can do as I continue to battle with my health. Every morning, I get to choose how I deal with my current health issues. I can choose to let this journey be all about me and walk around in victim mode or I can choose to look at the beautiful opportunities this health journey has created for me. Opportunities to share my health journey, my faith and hopefully to encourage someone running their own crazy beautiful health journey. Each morning, I get to choose how I live. You have that same choice every day. Choose wisely. ~OC
Your Choice
Today’s a new day! Like it or not, the storms of life are a part of our journey. The great news is we choose how we deal with those storms.
I realize walking through a life storm is not easy. At the time it feels you are the only one who has ever experienced anything this hard and intense. But let me reassure you that you are not alone. You do not need to walk through this storm by yourself. I argue you to reach out to someone to come along aside you and walk with you during the storm. You will be amazed by how many people are just waiting for you to reach out. Some have walked through the same trials you are facing. Never forget the lessons we can learn from those who have walked through the storms of life and have persevered through their trials. With God, our trials can turn into triumphs.
So we have some choices to make as we walk through the storms of life. Will we learn and grow from these storms and allow God to turn them into life changing victories? Or will we choose to walk through these storms alone and miss the beautiful lessons that could help us grow and experience greater purpose in life?
Let me be real here. Walking through a storm or trial is not easy. I do not want you to put on a happy face and pretend everything is fine. Please be honest when you are hurting. It’s not about pretending you don’t suffer, struggle with doubts or fail to see how God could produce anything good out of this storm. It’s a matter of choosing to find that beautiful joy and peace in the midst of the storm. It’s a time to lean into the promises of God. To find comfort in his loving embrace. Remember, God promises to never leave or forsake us. Even during the biggest storms. ~OC
The Boat
Today’s a new day! At one point during my beautiful life, my friendship list looked like a big cruise ship. Many people laughing and having fun. Life was great. Then I got sick and the boat began to get smaller. Of course that was rough to endure, but God gave me peace.
Then I experienced a beautiful miracle and all of the sudden the boat started getting bigger, but most of the relationships were not real. They were based on what God had done in my life. People cared more about the miracle than they did about me. Once again tough to endure, but God guided me through this storm. He even told me on a walk one early August morning, that my inner circle would get smaller. There would be fewer people on the boat. This did not scare me, it actually gave me peace.
Then I had a stroke a few weeks ago and more friends jumped off the boat. This time I was prepared for it. Less phone calls checking in or returning my calls or text. God had clearly prepared me for this time. That doesn’t mean there was not some pain and disappointment.
But as I continue to walk through this new crazy beautiful health journey, I cling to the friends who have decided to stay in the boat with me. The ones who actually reach out to me without any prompting and reassure me they are not leaving the boat regardless of how big the waves get. We will endure together. How blessed to have people in the boat who reassure me they are not abandoning me. Who tell me they don’t care how small the boat gets. No matter how rough the waves become. “Todd, I am not leaving the boat.” How encouraging those words are as Laura and I move through this new storm.
As I wrote the words above, I realized I have never needed rescuing from the boat. God has always been and always will be in the boat with me. He has never thought about abandoning me. I am thankful for those God chooses stay in the boat with me. But my hope and peace comes from God who created the boat and me. The One who can calm the raging seas with just a whisper.
If you are dealing with a storm in your life, look around and see who’s in your boat. When you find them cherish them. During the storms of life, learn to sit in the boat with others. Embrace those in the boat. Encourage those in the boat. Empower those in the boat. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 