Tag: Community

Not So Different

Today’s a new day, as I continue to walk this crazy beautiful health journey, my body continues to decline and time is limited

but, a beautiful thing as happened along the way, 

These days, I truly see people for who they really are, 

just folks trying to make it in life like me,

Trying to live in peace, with hope and a chance to dream

In hospitals and waiting rooms, I meet strangers not by chance, but I believe by divine appointments, 

And though our stories differ, our hearts beat with the same dance

We’re all searching for hope, for healing and for peace

And in our shared humanity, our differences release

We’re not so different, you and me

We’re both just trying to live a life full of hopes and dreams, 

We’re all just trying to make our way

Through the noise, through the fray

But still we divide, we separate and we fight

Over opinions and beliefs, we draw lines in the sand,

We let our differences define us, we let them tear us apart

And in the process, we lose the beauty of the human heart

We forget that we’re all in this together, we’re all on the same team

We’re all just trying to live, to love, to dream

We’re all just trying to make a way, to find our place in this world

And in our shared struggles, our hearts can expand 

We’re not so different, you and me

We’re both just trying to live a life full of hopes and dreams,

We’re all just trying to make our way

Through the noise, through the fray

So let’s sit down, let’s talk, let’s share our stories and our fears

Let’s find common ground, let’s wipe away our tears

Let’s look beyond our differences, let’s see the humanity in each other’s eyes

And let’s remember that we’re all in this together, we’re all on the same side

We’re not Us versus Them, we’re just Us, trying to make our way

Through the ups and downs, through the darkness and the gray

We’re all just trying to live, to love, to be

And in our shared humanity, we can find unity.

My hope is that we can learn to see

Beyond the surface level, beyond you and me

My hope is that we can find a way

To come together, to seize the day

To put aside our differences, to lay down our pride

To look into each other’s eyes, and see the other side

To find the common ground, to find the love we share

And to live together, with hearts that truly care. ~OC

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Today’s Prayer

Today’s a new day! If you woke up facing a storm today, I pray these words bring you some peace and comfort.

Dear God, Thank You for waking me up this morning. Thank You for the breath in my lungs. I do not take this gift lightly. I pause right now to acknowledge You as the Miracle Maker.

Dear God, I need You today. I’m not coming before You, pretending I have it all together. I’m asking You to help me—help my heart, help my mind, help me look to You for Your wisdom and guidance. Dear God, guide my steps, guard my words, and strengthen me where I am weak. Where I’m unsure, give me wisdom. Where I’m tired, renew my strength.

I lift up my family and friends before You, Lord. Cover each of them with your love and protection. Allow each of them to experience Your peace today. Meet them at the point of their needs, even the ones they don’t know how to put into words. Heal what’s broken, calm what’s anxious, and restore what’s been drained.

Dear God, I pray for this world. We need You. We need Your mercy, Your guidance, and Your truth. Heal the division, calm the chaos, and turn hearts back toward what is right. Raise up leaders with true integrity and give them Your discernment, courage, and compassion.

Dear God, thank You for grace that covers me, mercy that keeps me, and love that never lets me go. I trust You with this day and the days to come. Dear God, I trust You with my life…Amen ~OC

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A Crazy Beautiful Health Journey: Finding Intimacy With Jesus In The Midst of Suffering

Today’s a new day! I want to share the following with you. I may share some more in the future.

As I continue on this unpredictable, yet beautiful health journey, I’m compelled to share the incredible ways Jesus is revealing Himself to me. Despite the increasing challenges, I’ve never felt closer to Him. His love is surrounding me in ways I never thought possible, and His sovereignty is a constant reminder that He’s in control. The pain and suffering may be intensifying, but I’m experiencing a peace that surpasses all understanding. It’s a peace that’s hard to put into words, but it’s a peace that’s anchored in the hope of eternity.

In the midst of this journey, Jesus is teaching me to see people beyond their masks and facades. He’s opening my eyes to the beauty of Scripture in ways I never thought possible. He’s giving me the privilege of sharing the Gospel with thousands of people, and He’s allowing me to have meaningful conversations with loved ones. These moments are priceless, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Yes, there have been sleepless nights, hospital stays, and surgeries, but Jesus has been with me every step of the way. He’s never forsaken me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve Him and others. If I’m honest, I wouldn’t want a “do over” in life. The moments Jesus has allowed me to experience have been too precious, and I’m confident that everything I’m enduring is temporary. I’ll continue to fight the good fight, serve Him, and push forward, trusting that He’ll allow me to encourage at least one more person along the way.

Dear Jesus…continue to use me in this journey. ~OC

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A New Year

Today’s a new day! This new year arrived quietly for some, not with fireworks or fresh ambition, but with tired bones and a heart still heavy from all that was poured out in twenty-twenty-five. While the world seems busy reinventing itself, certain souls are simply trying to stand steady against the storms of life. Last year, left invisible footprints — of effort, of giving, of showing up, of holding everything together when it mattered most. And when the noise finally fades, what remains is often an exhaustion no New Year can reset or erase.

There is a kind of pressure in the air the first month of any new year. There is an unspoken demand to rise, improve, conquer, to shine. But not all of us begin from the same place. Some of us step into this new year carrying the weight of overextended emotions, stretched resources, and the quiet ache of having given more than we had. The body remembers. The heart remembers. And sometimes all it asks for is stillness. For a chance to rest.

As we start this new year, your spirit may feel low. That does not mean you are broken — it means you are human and deeply alive. Deeply loved.

Let yourself rest in the stillness for a while. Let the world rush ahead if it must. You are allowed to pause. You are allowed to heal quietly. You are allowed to face your mountain one small step at a time, or simply sit beside it and gather strength. You do not need to be anything more than you are in this moment.

And that is enough. ~OC

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New Year’s Prayer

Dear God,

As we start a brand new year, we come before you with hearts full of hope and minds full of dreams. We pray for a world where love conquers fear, kindness triumphs over cruelty, and compassion heals the wounds of division.

May this year bring us closer to your vision of peace, justice, and harmony. May we strive to be the change we wish to see, to lift each other up, and to make a difference in the lives of those around us.

May our leaders be guided by wisdom, integrity, and a deep commitment to the common good. May our communities be strengthened by diversity, and a spirit of belonging.

May this year bring us joy, laughter, and adventure. May we find happiness in the simple things, and may our hearts be filled with gratitude for the blessings we enjoy.

And when the road ahead seems uncertain, may we draw strength from your promise to be with us always. May we trust in your goodness, your mercy, and your love.

In the spirit of hope and renewal, we offer this prayer, dear God. May your will be done, and may your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven….Amen ~OC

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The Week Ahead

Good morning family and friends.The next few weeks are busy.

Monday: Two Medical Appointments

Tuesday: Having a new port put in.

Thursday: Traveling to Plains, GA for my birthday celebration.

Thursday 12/11: Starting outpatient treatments.

Continuing to pray for each of you. ~OC

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My Thoughts On Halloween

Today’s a new day! I wanted to take some time this morning to repost my thoughts about Halloween from last year. I did update a few parts.

It’s hard to outright ignore Halloween. It’s everywhere. In our condo, several people have their doors directed for this October 31st holiday. Have you walked into a store lately? Most are stocked with various Halloween items. In 2024, Americans spent $11.6 billion on Halloween. That’s a lot of candy and costumes.

So there’s no hiding from Halloween. But should Christians participate in it? Should Christian children be walking the neighborhoods trick or treating? Or should the Christian community rise up and boycott Halloween altogether?

Some say, yes, Christians should boycott Halloween. In arguing that Halloween should be off-limits for Christians,people will site the origin of Halloween back to pagan festivals in the first century AD. Some people will claim that blood, witchcraft, and horror have become the dominate themes of the day. Furthermore, Christians opposed to Halloween will cite Bible verses that condemn witchcraft and sorcery, as well as Bible verses that command Christians to separate themselves from all that is impure.

Others will say, no, Christians don’t need to boycott Halloween. I read where several writers call it revisionist history to claim that Halloween is rooted in a pagan festival. They each wrote that Halloween is actually rooted in Christianity. All Hallows Eve is the evening before All Saints Day (Nov. 1). These writers challenged Christians not to back down to the culture, but instead to reclaim Halloween. Many feel it’s possible to “soften” the holiday by wearing non-scary costumes like classic superheros and princesses and establishing wholesome family customs.

But here is something that is always on my mind during this season: Halloween is a rare occasion for many in a busy world, to get out of their homes and interact with our neighbors.

I have been so amazed and happy how interactive the neighbors in our condominium have been. I have lived in neighborhoods where neighbors barely spoke with each other. That’s a totally different blog post, for a different day.

Let’s keep in mind, that God is infinitely resourceful. What if, in His perfect wisdom, God desires to leverage Halloween to build community among people? Halloween can be a strategic time to see your neighbors face to face (or maybe mask to mask). Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31) We understand “neighbor” to mean any human being … which includes actual neighbors in your neighborhood.

Everyone has their individual opinions on Halloween. We need to be respectful of those opinions and the choices people make about this holiday. So whether you choose to boycott or celebrate Halloween, I encourage everyone to look for opportunities to positively engage with your neighbors. That’s just my two cents on Halloween. ~OC

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Finding Purpose in the Storm

Today’s a new day! As I sit in this hospital room, surrounded by beeping machines and the business of staff, I am reminded that my purpose extends far beyond my physical body. In the midst of uncertainty and pain, I pray: Dear God, use me for your purpose during this hospital stay and every day as I continue to fight through this crazy beautiful health journey.

For me it’s a prayer of surrender, of trust, and of faith. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest moments, God’s love and patience remain unfailing.

Embracing the Unknown:

When we’re faced with the challenges of life, it’s easy to feel like our lives are spinning out of control. But what if we flipped that perspective? What if this season of uncertainty is an opportunity to discover a deeper sense of God’s purpose for our lives?

For those walking through their own “crazy beautiful journey,” I encourage you to pray the following: Dear God, use me for your purpose… I am thankful for your unfailing love and patience with me.

Practical Ways to Find Purpose:

1. Prayer and Reflection: Take time each day to connect with God. Reflect on your experiences, and ask Him to reveal His purpose for your life.

2. Support Loved Ones:Reach out to family and friends, and let them know you’re thinking of them. Sometimes, a simple text, handwritten note or phone call can bring joy to someone’s day.

3. Share Your Story: Consider sharing your journey on social media, a blog or write a book. Your story might encourage others who are facing similar challenges.

4. Find Ways to Serve: Even in a hospital room, you can serve others. Share words of encouragement with the staff, pray for the staff and others walking down the hall. Show kindness and respect to everyone you encounter today.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving:

As I continue to navigate through this health journey, I am grateful for God’s unfailing love and patience. I’m thankful for a loving and supportive bride, I am thankful for my medical team that’s been taking care of me for many years, I am blessed by the the loved ones who pray and support me, and for the opportunities to grow in my faith.

If you happen to be reading this post and are facing your own challenges, know that you’re not alone. You’re loved, you’re valued, and you’re part of a larger story.

A Prayer for Today:

Dear Jesus, use us for your purpose during the stressful times of life and every day as we continue to navigate through this journey called life. We’re thankful for your unfailing love and patience with us. Amen

Challenge of the Day:

How can you use your life experiences, past and present to bless and help others today? ~OC

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The Reality of the Journey

Today’s a new day! Living with a long term chronic illness can feel very isolating. As the years go bye, more and more “friends” decide the journey is too much for them to handle and they have chosen to disappear from my life. How does one handle going from a great group of friends to basically having no true friends I can really count on? Well, I am still trying to figure that out as I continue to walk through this crazy beautiful health journey.

As I look back on my long health journey, I can remember when my phone wouldn’t stop ringing and our house constantly had people coming and going to visit with me. But as the years have passed and my health has continued to be a constant struggle, less and less people are connecting with me. If I do not make the effort to reach out to people, I literally would never hear from anyone. Sadly, that’s just the reality of dealing with a chronic illness or in my case multiple health issues. I have found that people are great when someone first gets sick. Like I mentioned above, the phone calls and visits are nonstop, but when the illness drags on people do not know how to react, so they tend to bail. So how does one handle the loss of friendships or a different type of friendship in the midst of health issues?

I am not writing this post for sympathy, but to share the reality of living with long term health issues. I am writing this for others who are walking through the same experience, but are not sure how to express their feelings.

Personally, I have tried to continue reaching out to friends and stay connected, but that is getting harder and harder as the years fly by. Also, I am getting tired of being the one always making the effort. I have tried being part of men’s groups, but for the most part that has not been a positive experience. But mostly, I have prayed that God would help me be a good friend. I have learned I cannot control who makes the choice to be part of my life. All I can do is put everything into God’s hands and continue to trust in Him.

Like I shared earlier, this is not a post to gain any sympathy, but to share the reality of living life with long term health issues. Thousands or maybe millions of people with long term health issues could have written this post. My prayer is that this post will help people understand the day to day feelings/struggles of people who are walking through a difficult health journey. Thanks for taking the time to read. ~OC

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Love

Today’s a new day! Dear God, pour out Your love into our hearts by releasing the Holy Spirit to give us revelation of Your love for us that it may overflow in love back to Jesus and to others. Dear God, help us to love everyone we encounter today.

“The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5), “For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8), “Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).

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