Tag: Conversations

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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Not Your Average Valentine’s Day Post

Hello. I wrote this a few years ago and updated it this morning.

Today’s a new day! So my wife and I haven’t celebrated Valentine’s Day in many years. So many that I cannot even remember when we stopped. Before you call me a hater, it’s not that we have anything against love or romance. Actual love just seems like it has become overshadowed by consumerism for Valentine’s Day. Romance isn’t about forced flowers, chocolates or expensive presents. True love isn’t defined by material gifts. No, true love is about what comes from the heart. Yes, I get that Valentine’s Day can also be about doing something special for your significant other, but why wait for that one day of the year. We should always be doing nice things and celebrating our loved one.

Laura and I celebrated twenty-five years of marriage last year. I’m not gonna say our marriage is completely perfect. We have had disagreements over the years, but we never allow the day to end with us being in disagreement. We also never take each other for granted. Choosing the right person to marry is very important but both people also need to agree to make a commitment to be intentional in the relationship and never stop working at it. I’ve seen couples who have been together for years, but don’t seem happy at all. Well it doesn’t have to be that way if you make the effort to not let the fun and excitement of your marriage slip away.

Laura and I do this by choosing love everyday in different ways. Here is just a few:

1. We always say “I love you.” before we leave the house each day. Simple, but how many people forget this simple gesture?

2. We always end each phone call with an I love you even if one of us is just calling to say we’re on our way home.

3. We make a point to always thank each other for the things we do for one another whether they’re big or small. Romantic stuff like taking out the trash.

4. We think about each other when we’re apart. Sometimes we text during the day just because. Sometimes we texted each other when we’re sitting right next to each other.

5. We make each other laugh every day.

6. We enjoy spending time together.

7. We surprise each other with little gifts throughout the year. We do not wait for special occasions to do special things for one another.

8. We support each other no matter what. We truly believe everything will always be okay as long as we’re together.

9. We realize how blessed we are to have one another and it’s not something we take lightly or for granted.

10. After twenty-five years, we still take our wedding vows seriously.

Real love isn’t just about the grand gestures because it’s the small things that add up to keep love and happiness alive. And love every day is infinitely more rewarding than celebrating love on some designated holiday. Sometimes, I think back to when we were dating and it amazes me that we’re now still living out the dream we had back then of always being together. Every day we laugh, talk, work through things and grow together. And we know just how blessed we are that our dream has become a reality and that sometimes reality is even better than a dream. ~OC 

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A Friday Prayer

A Morning Prayer. ~OC

Dear God, I pray that you would give us the boldness to speak out against hate, especially when we see it in our churches, communities and homes.

Dear God, I pray that you would give us the humility to admit where we have chosen the way of the world over the path of Christ.

Dear God, I pray that you would encourage us to step away from behind the glowing shield of our screens to have real conversations in which we look into the eyes of another, witnessing the image of God that dwells within them.

Dear God, I pray that you would remind us that time is a precious gift that should not be wasted on things that divide us, but instead we would use the gift of time to encourage and build people up. To be our neighbors biggest cheerleader instead of their judge and jury.

Dear God, I pray you would teach us to live with a heart of service. Teach us to live with less so that everyone has enough.

Dear God, I pray you will move in your Church. I want her to thrive. I pray 2025 will be a year of repentance and revival for the American church.

Today, I pray you will join me in lifting up these prayers? Amen

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Unique and Beautiful Gift

Today’s a new day! I was reminded this week that having people who love you well—who listen, who pray, who weep, and who laugh with you— is a unique and beautiful gift that should never be taken for granted. ~OC

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Christianity in America 2025

I have made enemies by simply living my life. A friend texted me this week to tell me all my beliefs and opinions are wrong because they do not fall in line with the Christianity being ingested by so many believers today. So he can no longer call me friend.

We read the same Bible, but his beliefs are not what I see when I study God’s scriptures. But somehow, I am wrong because I choose to let people share their opinions and live their lives without judgement. But based on believing all people matter somehow I am wrong.

I do choose to believe all people matter, while my friend and so many Christians like him today, choose to put certain barriers on whose opinions, beliefs and lives matter. If you do not vote a certain way or worship a certain way, somehow you’re less than and can be cast aside like a worn out pair of shoes.

When did Christianity become a club for a few and stop welcoming everyone to the table? When did Christianity become more about a political party and less about the Gospel of Jesus Christ? So many questions, but few too many Christians willing to welcome a difference of opinion.

It’s 2025 and I am not sure most people know what Christianity in America really is today. Obviously my friend and so many other believers are living a form of Christianity that makes no sense to me.

But I will continue to lean into the true teachings of Jesus. I will strive to be His hands and feet. I will not allow this hijacked form of Christianity I see around me in 2025 be the Christianity that people experience when they think about me. I will continue to love and serve all people as Jesus loves them. Even if that means I lose a few friends along the way. ~OC

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A Morning Prayer

Good Morning! ~OC

Dear God, Thank you for this beautiful new day. We thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives. Thank you for your goodness and for your blessings and protection over us. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your sacrifice so that we might have freedom and a full life. Forgive us when we do not thank you enough for who you are, for all you do, and for all you have given us. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh this morning. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you, and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! We pray all of this in the name of Jesus, the only One who can set us free for love’s sake. ~Amen

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Today’s Prayer

Good Morning! ~OC

Dear God, help us to love as you love, by loving those with different opinions than us and defending their right to those beliefs. Allow us to see past political, religious and cultural differences. Dear God, open our hearts to see the beauty in our differences. We pray all this in gracious name. Amen

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Hope Over Division

Good Morning! The following is something I have been working on the last few days. Yes, it’s long, but I hope you will take the time to read it.

Today’s a new day! The last few days, I have had some friends decide their political beliefs were more important than the Gospel and our friendship. But sadly, this is nothing new.

Over the last few years, I have found it sad that some Christians just do not understand how someone who disagrees with their political beliefs could possibly be a Christian. So much division over something so trivial as politics.

But division among Christians is not new, and is not a surprise to God.

Conflict among God’s people is not isolated to one culture or even one generation. Conflict is inevitable. Opinions will differ. But if we are rooted in the gospel, we should be united in purpose.

As I have surveyed the landscape of America, I have found people from different socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, political persuasions, and church denominations pursuing Christ with passion and commitment. I have found people finding unity in Christ, not political parties or politicians.

I have also been blessed to see Christians discover the gift of unity, even in disagreements. Sadly, I have also experienced some Christians allowing differences to end friendships. It is a choice we have to make daily.

I believe when Christians are truly united in the Gospel, we will be united in purpose.

In my journey, I have found that people do not always realize that we can have the same faith and have very different life experiences. In today’s heated culture, we may wonder if Christians can disagree and still remain united. For generations, across all nations and cultures, Christians have asked the same question. Is it truly possible to approach complex issues without losing our love for one another? I believes the answer is yes. It might not be easy, but if we truly put God’s love first I believe we can experience God’s unifying power to overcome our differences.

I also believe these three lessons can help.

Do not confuse differences with division:

In Revelation 7:9, we read inspiring verses about a great multitude gathered in worship before Jesus: 

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” 

In John’s vision, “every nation, tribe, people and language” praised the living God together. 

This beautiful picture gives us hope for eternity, but Christ-centered unity can feel distant today. When we struggle, I encourages everyone to not let our God-given differences evolve into manmade division. 

When we seek after God to help us guard against division, we can trust that He will work through our differences in His timing and in His way.

I do not look at nations, tribes, and tongues as something to divide us. Those are just characteristics, like someone being tall or short. We have made them into divisions, but God is the one who created those distinctions. It may be visible that people are different, but Revelation tells us we are not divided in the eyes of Christ. I truly believe God works uniquely within the Church through every time and culture. When division threatens God’s people today and leads to disagreement, we can pray for one another. Through individual prayer for others, even those we disagree with, God can soften our hearts and give us renewed patience.

Focus on what draws us together:

Through Revelation 7:10, we are challenged to focus on the One who draws us together:  

“And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

It is no surprise that the Bible talks about the diversity of the people while they stand before Jesus claiming Him as the one true God. There is a unity in what they are claiming. They are in agreement that all blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, and honor belong to Him. They are 100 percent focused on Jesus.

I believe this picture is a reminder that the One who unites His people is stronger than anything that drives us apart. When we seek God through His Word, He gives us a complete picture of His character. Through His Word we find wisdom, courage, and hope.

This picture of God’s people worshipping in unison should be a reminder to all of us to stay in a posture of humility. In today’s society, we are often encouraged to assume the worst about those who disagree with us. But there is room at the table for differences of opinion when Christ is our focus. We do not have to carry the burden of argument or debate. Instead, when we keep our eyes on Him and not others, we can pray, discuss, and enjoy being together.

When we look to Christ, we discover that Jesus gives us the wisdom and strength to navigate our differences without division.  

Put our faith in God’s promises, not people:

In Revelation 7:9-10, God reveals that He is worthy of our worship. The chapter closes with a beautiful picture of what we will experience in eternity under Christ’s authority: 

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water,’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes’” (Revelation 7:17). 

In today’s culture, we are tempted to place our faith in people, denominations, political parties or human solutions. But leaders come and go, and even Christians can disappoint us. Revelation 7:17 reminds us that the Lamb who chose to die for His people is the same Lamb who rules for eternity. Jesus, who stands worthy of our worship, bends low to wipe away our tears.  

That is a promise. Even though we do not know what’s going to happen, we can trust that God is enough. We are reminded in Revelation that when we struggle through disappointment on earth, we can trust God’s promises for the future. With that in mind, we can meet our brothers and sisters in Christ with grace as we trust the Lord to reveal truth in His time.

What God has revealed for the future is enough to give us hope for today.

I pray you will spend some time reflecting on these words today. Walk and live in peace and harmony with everyone. Even those you disagree with. ~OC

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Not From God

Today’s a new day! This is not the America that so many men and women gave their lives for. But sadly, this is the type of hate that so many Americans voted for and support. I must remember that God is still in control. I know that can be hard to believe as we see everything that’s happening in our nation, but nothing we’re seeing right now is from God. This is all man made. Dear God, please help us. ~OC

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna190446

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Paying Attention

Today’s a new day! Since the inauguration of the current administration, many people are either alarmed or are at least paying attention at what has transpired.

We wonder how putting flawed inexperienced people in charge of our government agencies will make our lives better. We see one of the main issues that got him elected — inflation — take a back seat to revenge and retribution. We see the destruction of the rule of law and allowing a unelected out of control billionaire actually run the country.

One of my biggest fears is the loss of checks and balances in a president who appears to have no ethical compass. I wonder what our deceased men and women of the military, who gave their lives fighting for our freedom would think of our current gutless Congress who are willing to throw out our democracy and cower in fear of being primaried from our billionaire overlords.

I think the American people need to hold these compromised representatives accountable for the sake of this generation and generations to come. Thanks for listening. ~OC

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