Tag: Church

Truth

Today’s a new day! As I scroll through social media or watch the news, I have noticed so many people, including a huge number of Christians are spreading or falling for lies. Some lies might be a little harder to see, but some are blatant. People post lies or half truths so easily these days. Too many people do not want to take the time to do their own research before posting or sharing an untruth. A like or share is more important than truth for so many.

But the problem for those who claim to belong to Christ, is when the lies of a fallen world start to feel normal. When you start to think your lies or the lies begin spread can serve as truth as long it feels right and the outcome is what you want.

But as Christians, if we truly desire to live out our faith, we have to recognize Jesus is not just the one telling us the truth; he is the truth (John 14:6). To distort the truth into a half-truth to advance a lie is a personal assault not just on the person you are lying about, or the issue you claim to support, but on Jesus Christ himself. ~OC

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The Church…Lost Its Way

Today’s a new day! I miss the days when the Christian community was led by God’s word and not the words of a politician or political party. Oh how the Church has lost its way. ~OC

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Our Calling Card

Today’s a new day! I believe love is our calling card.

Some may be surprised or shocked by this statement, but look around at some portions of the Church today.  You don’t have to go far on the internet to see pastors preaching with such anger and hatred, what comes across is ugly and lacking in power.  There are others who are doctrinally sound but so intellectually focused that the Gospel that they preach is cold, detached and forbidding.  They have the truth of the Bible but without the love of God, it is creating a really confusing picture. Some have lost sight of God’s love so they have completely lost the message brought to us by Jesus Himself.  For God so loved the world He sent His one and only Son.

God is love. Jesus is God and therefore is love. He was sent into this world as a common man because God deeply loved the world. Jesus said that the greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbors. Jesus said that the world will know us as disciples by our love. Not by our biblical knowledge which is important, but love is essential to who God is and who we’re supposed to be as Believers. Without love, Christianity is nothing. We can never lose sight of love and still live the life that Jesus has for us in Him. God is love. A life without love is a life without God prominently in it.

So if you have gotten so far down a path that looks like Christianity but is not filled with love, you must turn around. Make that turn this very moment. If we are working really hard for the church but are doing it in anger and resentment, turn around this very minute. If we are so busy with serving or complaining that we have no time to love the people we are supposed to be serving…just stop. Treat this moment like a red light or stop sign. It profits us nothing and creates a jarring and unpleasing sound if we are trying to live the Christian life without love. We should only be serving and loving others when we are able to say for certain that it is the love of Jesus compelling us and the love of the Holy Spirit working through us. Of course we will all have moments where it is hard to love and serve others. Face it, we are all human and will make mistakes along the journey. So please do not beat yourself up. Just stop and seek God. Allow Him to redirect you to get back on the path He has laid out for you.

No matter what it looks like to our eyes, if we do not have love we are nothing. Why? Because if there is no love then Jesus is not with us.  He is love and brings love wherever He goes. I hope and pray we all want to do something for the Body of Christ. Right? So make the choice to love and love generously. And being generous, doesn’t always mean our finances. Loving generously includes are time, talents and gifts.

Let the following words sink in:

And if I were to have the gift of prophecy with a profound understanding of God’s hidden secrets, and if I possessed unending supernatural knowledge, and if I had the greatest gift of faith that could move mountains, but have never learned to love, then I am nothing. And if I were to be so generous as to give away everything I owned to feed the poor, and to offer my body to be burned as a martyr, without the pure motive of love, I would gain nothing of value. ~1 Corinthians 13:2-3

So today, make the choice to love. It could be life changing for you and someone around you. ~OC

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Life With Chronic Illness

Today’s a new day! What do you do when you don’t get better?”

I became chronically sick twenty-three years ago, after being diagnosed with several types of crippling arthritis. It would be a year later after taking many experimental medications, that I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Then over the years, I would be be diagnosed with the following: Young Onset Parkinson’s, Myasthenia Gravis, Gastroparesis, Covid Long-Hauler, Complex Headaches, and recently Early Onset Dementia. Oh, and a stroke several years ago. It truly has been a crazy beautiful health journey.

I became a Christian when I was ten years old. I will be the first to admit, I did not always live the Christian life in my early teenage years. When I first became ill, some people in the Christian community began to weaponize their faith against me. They would say that I wasn’t faithful enough, or that I must have some type of unresolved sin in my life. Sadly all these years later, I still have some Christians screaming that in my ear on a weekly basis. At times over the years, I felt judged and disliked by many in the Christian community. That is never how Christianity, or any faith, should be. For me, it wasn’t just what conversations were being had—but also how.

The sad part is that the people who wanted me to not lose faith tried to make it harder to connect with God and other Christians. Some people over the years have made the excuses, “Well they mean well.” I truly do not believe that. I believe it actually shows their true heart. I am thankful that during this crazy beautiful health journey, God has surrounded me with some amazing people who have helped me through this difficult season. I am also thankful I have never lost my faith during this journey.

As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, my goal is to not allow those negative voices to have any influence on my life. I also decided early on in my health journey to help others walking through their own health journey.

I share all this because I know that I’m not alone, and I want others to know that they aren’t either. When you’re feeling attacked, beaten up, remember that God loves and is with you. I am sorry if anyone has made you feel like that isn’t the case. What people believe is their choice, but no one has the right to weaponize their faith. That sort of human hurt harms those in the disabled/chronically ill community that may be struggling with their faith.

In Isaiah 54:10 we read, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” Being chronically ill can very much feel as if everything is being shaken up and changed—at least that’s how I have felt at times over the years.

I no longer know what each day will feel like, physically, let alone have a clue about what I may be able to do in the future. But God’s love doesn’t change when we are in tough situations (or any situation.) He is still with us. He knows the truth of our situation and still loves us.

Some passages that resonated with me, and may be appreciated by those reading this post, are those about us being fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 13- 14), Psalm 86-15, and Ephesians 1:5-6. That is about YOU. You are loved beyond words. Think about John 3:16. That’s not just for the able bodied and minded, it’s for ALL of us.

If you can relate to anything I have written, the following are a few things that have helped me. Just remember this journey is different for everyone.

*Don’t bottle things up. I encourage everyone to find a trusted friend, pastor, counselor or support group to share your feelings with. It may be difficult at first, but I promise you’ll be glad you did.

*Take this current season of life slowly. Remember, life is a marathon not a sprint.

*Do not give up on the Christian community or the Church based on some misguided people. Remember, there are no perfect people or churches.

*Find out what works for you in your journey with health issues and your walk with God. One size doesn’t fit us all.

*Spend time in the Bible and listening to worship music. Both have helped bring peace and clarity to my life during my health journey.

* Remember, sometimes God does not give us quick answers to our prayer request. I encourage you to embrace the lessons God is trying to teach you during this difficult season. All of us whether healthy or chronically ill have a different journey. If chronic illness is currently part of journey, you are just as worthy as anyone else. Please embrace that truth today.

I hope and pray this post will encourage and challenge everyone who has taken the time to read it. Thank you! ~OC

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Overcoming the Storms

Good Morning! Here is another “Lost Writings from OC.” This was written in May 2019.

Today’s a new day! As we walk through this journey called life, we will experience different storms. As I have walked through my own crazy beautiful health journey, I have learned a thing or two about overcoming the challenges of life. Here are a few of those lessons.

1. Spend time in God’s Word daily.

The Psalms offer great comfort for storms. Consider reading one Psalm per day the next time you face a storm.

2. Keep worshiping God.

Keep a worship playlist going while you drive, work or exercise. I often have worship music playing in my hospital room.

You might feel tempted to neglect corporate worship with others as you navigate through the storms. If possible, try to stay plugged into your local church or life group. Keep worshiping with others. This can unleash your faith and give you strength.

3. Spend time with encouraging people who will point you to God and give you hope.

We were not meant to navigate life’s storms alone.  One of the most powerful secrets for overcoming the storms of life is finding support from other people. You will be amazed at the people God might use to help you through your season of challenges.

4. Make time for life-giving activities.

We often neglect our hobbies and passions in difficult times. More than ever, you need time to decompress during life’s storms.

Carve out time to pursue your passions and hobbies. Make time to take a walk, or pursue your favorite activities.  These creative diversions are essential for calming your limbic system and overcoming the storms of life.

5. Take care of your body.

As much as you can, aim to eat well, drink plenty of water, keep your body moving, and rest as much as you can.

6. Ask other people to pray for you.

Those prayers can help you overcome the battles surrounding you.

7. Keep talking to God.

He is with you. Talk to him all day.  Ask for his help. He wants to carry you through your storm.

8. Find refuge in the shadow of the Lord’s wings.

Imagine a baby bird curled up in the shelter of its mother’s wings. There is no fear in this place.

Psalm 57:1 reads, “Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by.”

Every time you feel battered by the storms of life, imagine the Lord’s arms holding you.  As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I often imagine God holding me close. This can give you strength, peace, comfort, and courage.

Remind yourself that God is your hiding place. Ask him to care for you and comfort you.  He wants to be your source of comfort.

9. Watch for God’s movement in your life.

Psalm 36:7 reads, “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”

Ask God to help you become more aware of his movement in your life.  Instead of looking only at the storms surrounding you, look to the Lord.  Watch for what he is doing. He is with you. He will not abandon you during the storms of life.

When life is tough, I often take a few moments before falling asleep at night to reflect on the ways God worked in my life throughout the day. I reflect on the entire day, from the moment I woke up until the moment I lay my head down. Often, during those times, God shows me where he was working. These moments encourage me and remind me that God is with me during every storm.

10. Soak in the truth about God’s love for you.

Overcoming the storms of life begins by recognizing that God is always good, and his love for us is unending.  Resist the urge to take offense or believe that God does not love you.  Instead, soak in the truth about God’s love for you daily.

You are the apple of God’s eye. You are his beloved child. He is a good Father, and he wants to care for you as you navigate through the storms of life.

I pray as you continue to walk through the storms of life, you will continue to lean into the amazing promises of God. ~OC

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Let’s Be Clear

Today’s a new day! Let’s be clear: Christian Nationalism – the movement that’s gripped so many Christians and Churches in America is a misinterpretation of Jesus’ teachings. It’s in direct opposition to them. It’s an affront to the Sermon on the Mount, the fruit of the Spirit, and everything Jesus stood for. If you’re claiming to follow Christ, you cannot ignore this false theology. ~OC

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Truth and Justice

I remember when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, so many people including Christians and churches in America were so supportive of Ukraine and everything the citizens of the country were going through. Many Americans and churches held fundraisers and welcomed the Ukrainian people into America who had to flee their homeland. Fast forward to yesterday and the comments from the current President and now so many of those same people are turning their backs on Ukraine. Sadly, this is just another example of how the actions of so many Christians and churches across America are causing a great multitude of believers and unbelievers to turn their backs on the church and faith. I can only imagine the tears filling God’s eyes as he watches all of this transpire. I personally will continue to pray for peace and healing over the people of Ukraine. I will also continue to pray for my fellow believers and churches in American that appear so willing to compromise so much for the sake of power.

Once again, these are my thoughts and opinions. Some may asked why I share the things I do on social media? Yes, they can be hard to read and many people would rather I just share positive and uplifting post. I hear many friends tell me to “Stay away from the negative and challenging post. Just stick with sharing your story and uplifting post.” But I am sharing my story. I believe in truth and justice. That is who I am. So when I see things that are unjust and wrong, I must speak up. I do not enjoy posting things like this on my pages, but I have to be honest with myself and I cannot ignore everything that’s going on around me. Even if that means being attacked or unfriended. So, I will continue to share when I feel God leading me to share my thoughts online. I hope you will to. Even if we have different opinions. Let Love Rule. ~OC

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I Can…

Good Morning! Here is another “Lost Writings of OC.” I originally wrote this in 2018. Have a wonderful day.

Today’s a new day! There are a lot of things I cannot control in this world, but there is plenty I can do…

I can choose to pray for people.

I can choose to help feed and shelter the homeless.

I can choose how I treat people.

I can choose to be a mentor.

I can choose to show kindness to everyone I come in contact with.

I can choose to show respect to everyone around me.

I can choose not to judge people.

I can choose not to hate.

I can choose to Love.

There is plenty we can choose to do to help make this a better world. ~OC

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Let Diversity Shine

Today’s a new day! We have to learn again how to disagree. Being wrong is sometimes better than being right. We have to stop pointing out the “bad” (or the things we disagree with) and find common ground.

We need to find solutions to problems rather than just pointing out the problems and then walking away. What has always made America great is our diversity and coming together in times of need. Look around, we are in desperate times. It’s time for everyone to be allowed a seat at the table and come together. The diversity of America is a gift, not a curse. So today, let’s reach out and let our diversity shine. ~OC

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