Today’s a new day! Even as I have faced death, I still choose life. Death can never take away the things that truly matter. This journey called life is simply preparing me for eternity. I am living life with an eternal perspective. I try to live my life in a way that people around me will catch that same vision. That vision is life giving. Living out that vision brings hope. Our world desperately needs hope. For me, there is nothing like running towards God and grabbing onto His hope and promises. That hope is available to each of us. ~OC
Tell Your Story
Today’s a new day! One of the lessons I have learned during this crazy beautiful health journey, is we all have a story to tell. I believe God has placed an incredible calling on each of our lives. But only you can tell your story and live out your calling. Your story matters. Someone, somewhere is waiting for you to step up and share your story. To step up and live out your calling. By living out your story, you might just be giving someone else the courage to live out their story. Their purpose. God did not create us to be ordinary. He has some amazing plans for each of our lives. So step out of your comfort zone and live out your extraordinary story. All of Heaven is cheering you on. I am cheering you on. I pray you will stay focused on your race and finish strong. ~OC
A Cost
Today’s a new day! As I reflect on this crazy beautiful health journey, there has been a cost. Physically my body has been beat up. Mentally I have lost a step or two. Emotionally, I have had to run through a lot of loss. Financially, life took a turn when I had to retire years before I was ready. Spiritually, I have been challenging and taught so many lessons. But through it all, I believe I have gained more than I have lost. The friendships made have been a beautiful blessing. Watching my body deteriorate has made me rely more on the promises of God. This health journey, has allowed me experience life in a different, but life changing way. Even though this journey has not been easy, I would not change a thing. This journey has given me purpose. To hopefully encourage others walking through their own journey. To challenge people to step out of their comfort zones. To truly live out the teachings of God and be his hands and feet. As this journey continues to bring challenges, I will continue to choose to be an Overcomer. I will finish strong! ~OC
Purpose
Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I believe God allows us to walk through trials and storms to prepare and strengthen us for a greater purpose in life than we could otherwise fulfill. ~OC
Come Together
Today’s a new day! God, you created all of us in your beautiful image. Open our hearts and minds to this truth. Help us to recognize that all of us, regardless of skin color are your children. Dear God, help us build bridges of community and hope and not walls of hate and separation. Teach us to love, serve and listen. Open our eyes to the sin of racism. Give us the boldness and courage to stand up against the evil of racism and all hate. Dear God, teach us to celebrate our differences and to see diversity as a strength and not a weakness. Bless us with grace and patience to work together to end racism and hate in our world. Dear God, give each of us the desire to truly live together as brothers and sisters. Amen. ~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
Reading and Traveling
Reading and Traveling
Today’s a new day! I encourage everyone to read all types of books and travel to all kinds of different places,
If you choose not to read or travel, you may end up believing your story is the only story,
If you choose not to read or travel, you may end up believing
that your skin color is the only one
that matters,
that your language
is the one everyone else should be speaking,
that your opinions are the only ones that count,
Reading and Traveling,
allows our hearts and minds to be moved, challenged and changed,
Reading and Traveling,
allows us to experience the beautiful diversity of the world,
to experience the beauty of another culture,
Reading and Traveling,
allows us to learn that people from around the world are not that different,
We all dream and want the best for our families,
Reading and Traveling,
allows us to experience truth for ourselves instead of believing everything someone tells us or we see online,
Reading and Traveling,
allows us to see what people are capable of beyond our borders,
Reading and Traveling,
teaches us to go beyond what we think we’re capable of,
to keep dreaming,
Reading and Traveling,
unites us beyond our differences,
Keep Reading and Traveling. ~OC
White Christian Nationalism
Today’s a new day! I believe one of the biggest threats to America and the American Church is White Christian Nationalism. This false doctrine has been around for years, but since 2016 White Christian Nationalism has become a major problem in the American Church and the Christian community. Sadly, I have seen it separate churches, families and friends. White Christian Nationalism, has definitely made it difficult to be a white Christian who does not believe in the teachings of this cult like community.
White Christian Nationalism is far from the teachings of Jesus. Christian Nationalism is a political movement cleverly wrapped up in religious language. The movement is more concerned about spreading the American gospel and less concerned with sharing the love of Jesus. The movement wants control over people and issues they do not agree with -which is the exact opposite of what the Gospel teaches us. The Bible shares Jesus came as a servant who sacrificed lhis life for all of us, whether we’re gay, transgender, straight, rich, poor, black, white, refugee, different languages, backgrounds or faith.
Those who have been corrupted by White Christian Nationalism do not reflect the teachings of Jesus and how He lived his life. The theme of the Bible is God’s amazing love and sacrifice for all of us – regardless of our skin color, political affiliation, economic status or sexual identity. As a Christian, I believe God’s love is for ALL people. The Gospel is a beautiful gift. This life changing gift should never be used as a weapon against people or issues we disagree with.
What can Christians who disagree with the false teachings of White Christian Nationalism do? We can continue to pray. We must become more educated about this false and dangerous movement. We must speak up about the dangers of White Christian Nationalism. As Christians, we must earnestly pray that the false teachings of Christian Nationalism come to light in churches and in the hearts of those blinded by the lies of this cult. That truth prevails.
During this election year, Christians against White Christian Nationalism cannot be misled by self-serving politicians or Christians who are promoting false teachings. We cannot be silent like the Churches and Christians in Germany were in the days of Hitler. As Christians who truly believe in the teachings of Jesus, we must continue to live lives of love and respect for ALL of our neighbors regardless if we agree with them or not. ~OC
Love and Prayers
Today’s a new day! Love and prayers have no boundaries. They can be heard and felt in every part of the world. Love and prayers can be instantly translated into any language. ~OC
A Gift
Today’s a new day! Believe it or not, this crazy beautiful health journey is a gift, and I do not intend to waste a day of it. Have I experienced tough moments? Yes, I have. Multiple surgeries, multiple near death experiences, hours of treatment and too many hospital stays to count. But during this long journey, God has allowed me to hear the stories of some amazing people and share my own story. If I had allowed my health issues to become my identity, I would have missed out on so many beautiful moments along the way. Does my life look different than what I had dreamed of? Yes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I no longer rush through life. I embrace every moment. My life is not dictated by meetings and deadlines. I make it a point to connect with at least one friend a day. My goal is no longer to climb some corporate ladder, but to build bridges of love and encouragement. A time clock has been replaced by a get to clock. This health journey that the world would deem a negative, has become a story of hope and overcoming. My body might be broken, but I will allow God to pick up the pieces and create something beautiful. I invite everyone to come along and run this beautiful journey with me. ~OC
