Tag: Education

The Church

Today’s a new day! As I continue to walk out my faith, sometimes I get a little confused. The following is not a knock on the Church. I personally love the Church. The following is just some of my thoughts and concerns.

Growing up, the Church taught me to love my neighbors, to model the life of Jesus. To be kind and considerate, and to stand up for the bullied and marginalized.

The Church taught me to love people, consider others as more important than myself. “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.” We sang it together, lifting our hands and singing that chorus at the top of our lungs.

The Church taught me to love my enemies, to even do good to those who wish to do me harm.

The Church taught me to never hate anyone and to always find ways to love and encourage everyone I come in contact with.

The Church taught me it’s better to give than to receive, to be last instead of first.

The Church taught me that money doesn’t bring happiness and can sometimes even lead to evil, but taking care of the needs of others brings great joy and life to the soul.

The Church taught me that Jesus looks at what I do for the least-of-these as the true reflection of my faith and character.

The Church taught me to focus on my own sin instead of trying to police it in others.

The Church taught me to be accepting and forgiving.

I paid attention.

I took notes.

I took in every lesson.

And I did what I was taught.

But now, so many churches and Christians call me a liberal.

A snowflake.

You call me “woke” without even knowing the true meaning of the word.

You call me a backslider.

You call me a heretic.

You call me a confused believer.

You tell me my beliefs are probably the reason I am sick. Yes, I have been told that on many occasions.

When the Church passed out the “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do) bracelets back in the day, I wore mine proudly.

I took the meaning to heart.

I thought the Church did too. Apparently not all churches.

Because sadly in 2025, it appears lines of division have been drawn in the sand. Sadly, so many in the Church have such disdain for nearly all the people I was taught to love. So many in the Church stand against nearly all the things I was taught to believe in. I am trying to see a way forward, but it is getting hard when I survey all the hurt, harm, and darkness that I see coming from so many Churches and Ministries in this season.

So dear Church, what am I supposed to do with all these questions and concerns?

I truly believe what I read in the scriptures. Especially those red letter parts.

And today, I still believe everything I have read in the scriptures. I lean into all of those truths. The words and promises of Jesus keep my faith strong, when it would be so much easier to throw my hands up and walk away from it all. But I will never allow anyone or anything to steal my faith in Jesus.

Which leaves me wondering, what happened to so many of the churches and ministries in America? So many seem to have lost their way.

Thankfully grace is brave. So I will make the choice to be brave and keep leaning into the beautiful truths of God. ~OC

0

My Covid Story

On March 13, 2020, America shut down because of Covid. Five years later, Covid still plays a major part in my life. Here is my story.

For most, the year 2020 was one to forget. The Covid Pandemic turned most of the world upside down. We watched in horror as we witnessed so many people and families suffer tremendous suffering and lose. As my wife and I watched all this unfold, we were thankful that Covid19 had not touched us. Until it did.

On Super Bowl Sunday 2021, I woke up a little tired. It had been a long week so I did not think much of it. I took my temperature and thankfully it was normal. I headed off to church excited for the day. You see, I am a life long Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan and they were playing in the Super Bowl. After church, I headed home and took a little pregame nap. When I woke up everything had changed. I woke up with my shirt soaked in sweat. I took my temperature and it was at 103.6. I immediately went and had a Covid test. Of course this was on a Sunday, so my results would take a few days. I went home and basically slept through the Bucs winning the Super Bowl. Go Bucs!

On that Monday morning, I woke up feeling much worse. My temperature was now at 104.2. I also had a terrible headache, body aches, terrible cough and did not want to move. Later in the day, it was determined I needed to make my way to the ER. Once inside the ER, test revealed I did indeed have Covid and double pneumonia. I was headed to the Covid floor.

During my stay at the hospital, I received Blood Plasma, Steroids and Remdesivir. Being isolated on the Covid floor was tough. When I had been hospitalized in the past, I was used to having visitors and walking the halls. This hospital stay was filled with staff in protective covering and closed doors. Complete Isolation. After more than a week on the Covid floor, I was released. Time to recover from Covid and double pneumonia.

After being released from the hospital, I had to spend a week isolated away from my wonderful bride, since she continued to test negative for Covid. But unfortunately, my wife would soon experience the effects of Covid. Thankfully, her symptoms were a little milder and she does not suffer from any longtime effects. After finally arriving home, I waited to feel better. Surely I would feel better in a few days. But that was not the case. After two months my symptoms had not gotten much better. My CT Scan showed my lungs were still filled with Covid. I was still dealing with headaches, breathing issues, cough, no appetite, hoarse voice, fatigue and brain fog. Most of my days felt like the movie Groundhogs Day.

My medical team officially classified me as a Covid Long Hauler almost six months after my original diagnosis. Not a club anyone wants to be part of. Everything was wait and see. So, what do you do with that news? When you cannot rely on anything that was once reliable. When you have taken every step you know how to take-what then? You Hope. You Never Give Up.

My life is totally different than it was on that morning in February 2021. In 2025, I still stand up having no idea where I am going. Trying to process new information is still a challenge. Breathing continues to be a struggle. Constant fatigue. I could go on and on about the different symptoms I still deal with on a daily basis.

So as I continue to walk this journey, I still lean into Hope. I still do my research. I continue to try to encourage others walking through their own Long Hauler’s battle. I will continue to pray with great expectancy to wake up one morning with no Covid symptoms. That day when I am renewed physically. But until that day, I will live in Hope. ~OC

0

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Today’s a new day! On March 7, 1965, in Selma, Alabama, approximately 600 peace loving advocates set out to march to Alabama’s capital, Montgomery, to demand voting rights for Black Americans in the face of unfair, discriminatory laws and practices.

Sixty years ago, black voters faced numerous obstacles when trying to register to vote, including literacy tests, poll taxes, intimidation and brutal violence. Civil rights leaders organized this march to demand an equal opportunity to participate in American democracy.  

As the marchers peacefully crossed Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge, local police, vigilante groups and state troopers violently attacked them.

Many marchers were hospitalized as a result of these brutal attacks, which was televised nationwide and became known as “Bloody Sunday.” In addition, the events leading up to this day and the weeks after resulted in the deaths of three civil rights advocates.

The brutality of Bloody Sunday highlighted the urgent need for change and galvanized support for the Civil Rights Movement across the country. Two weeks later, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and 3,200 civil rights protesters completed the 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery.

Thanks to the efforts of those brave freedom fighters, historically disenfranchised Americans were able to fully participate in the democratic process for the first time.

Sadly sixty years later, there is still a lot of work to do across America to protect and expand the freedom to vote. The fight is not over. We, the Freedom Fighters of today must continue to speak up and fight for justice.

So on this 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, let’s remember the legacy of all those who fought for a truly inclusive democracy and pledge ourselves to supporting the continuing fight for the freedom to vote and for equal rights for all Americans. ~OC

0

My Life With Parkinson’s

Good Morning! I wanted to share a bit of my Parkinson’s experience with you today. I was diagnosed with PD in 2007. The disease is starting to take its toll on me, but I continue to live with an attitude of hope. I originally wrote this in 2019 and updated it the first of 2025.

Today’s a new day! Living with Parkinson’s takes hope, persistence and a strong will to live. Because Parkinson’s never takes a day off. Parkinson’s is a daily battle. In the presence of Parkinson’s, one must have courage, the strength of character, and for me a strong faith.

While there’s life, there’s hope. Each morning when I wake, I do a full-body inventory, thinking ‘Okay body, what awaits us today?’ I remain hopeful that my just-completed sleep has re-fueled my brain and re-stocked my body. Of course that’s on the nights I actually sleep. Cloaked around every fiber of my body is my unwelcome guest named Parkinson’s; however, the day has started anew, and there is much to accomplish. I use hope as an anchor to secure my body and mind against the slowly rising tide from Parkinson’s. There is still time while staying hopeful.

Living with a positive attitude makes a big difference. Before I get out of my recliner, it can be easy to feel sorry for myself. I have Parkinson’s, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. And that’s the negative mindset Parkinson’s has provided but I try to never allow myself to stay there for very long. There are days that are going to be difficult; yet staying positive and focusing on the plans God has for my life is where I choose to place my focus. I choose to look at my life with a positive attitude. That is completely opposite of how this disease wants me to feel and live.

I have found living this journey and sharing my story has been a privilege of a lifetime. I start each day with a prayer to focus on what plans God would have for me on that particular day. I choose to stay engaged with the everyday activities of life. Things are starting to get much tougher these days, but I make the choice every day to embrace life to its fullest. I remind myself there is much left to accomplish in my life even in the presence of Parkinson’s. I will close with a prayer I lift up to God every morning:

Dear God, thank you for another day. Simply use me today. This is going to be a good day. I remain hopeful not hopeless, positive not negative, happy not sad, and driven not complacent. Thank you for Your strength, wisdom and courage as I walk through this day. Amen. ~OC

0

Be Your Own Best Healthcare Advocate

Today’s a new day! I have been what my bride calls a “Professional Patient” for almost twenty-three years now. During this journey, I have encountered health professionals who appeared to be more concerned about egos and status than they did my well-being. For some medical providers, I was just a name on a file who happened to have very good health insurance coverage. They knew more than me because they had the title of Doctor attached to their name. Being so foreign to how the world of healthcare worked, Laura and I just went along with whatever the doctors or medical professionals directed us to do. They’re the professionals. They know what’s best for me. Right? In the famous words of Lee Corso from GameDay on ESPN, “Not so fast my friend.”

As Laura and I began to navigate this new world called the healthcare system, we found out that the most important voices were our own. If we did not stand up for my medical needs, who else would? That’s when we realized we needed to become not only our own healthcare advocates, but we needed to help other patients walking through their own crazy beautiful health journey. We recognized being a “Professional Patient” was actually a full time job.

Over the years, we have had to privately and sometimes publicly voiced some of my medical concerns. Which is not naturally part of my DNA. Or so I thought. But this is my life and my health we are talking about. As Laura and I have weaved our way through the world of health challenges, here are some of the most important pieces of advice I believe I can offer for those walking through their own health journey.

* Do not wait to speak up and share your thoughts and concerns. You know your body better than anybody else. If something doesn’t feel right or sound right speak up. If your medical team truly cares for you they will welcome this dialogue.

*Do not be afraid to get a second or third opinion. This is your life. We only get one.

*Do not be afraid to change doctors or hospitals if needed. Find a medical team that you truly feel has your best interest at heart.

*Have a great support system that can speak up on your behalf when you are unable to.

*Never stop learning about new treatments and medications that pertain to your health issue. Do not hesitate to share that information with your medical team. Once again, if your medical team cares for your well-being they will welcome those conversations.

*Take the time if your health allows, to help someone else navigate through this overwhelming healthcare system .

*Remember, it’s called practicing medicine for a reason. Your doctor and medical staff are human. Mistakes can happen. Allow those to be a teaching moment for all parties involved. Be kind and respectful, but firm.

*Be patient with yourself and your medical team. The healthcare system can be messy, stressful and complicated. Do not be afraid to show a little grace to yourself and others.

I really hope this helps someone navigating through a maze called the healthcare system. Be Your Own Best Healthcare Advocate. ~OC

0

Let’s Talk

Today’s a new day! This morning I want to discuss a tough issue for many in the Christian community. Mental Health. Unfortunately, many believers have made it difficult for those dealing with mental health issues to share and get the help they need.

Mental health issues can still be a highly stigmatized topic in the church. Although many Believers know the trials of occasional anxiety or having the blues, people with a diagnosed mental illness face unique challenges. Some are confronted by Christians who espouse false doctrine that health issues are a sign of unresolved sin or lack of faith. This is a Big Lie!

I want to encourage anyone dealing with mental health issues or any health issue to get the necessary medical care they need. There is nothing wrong with taking medications, having a therapist and loving Jesus all at the same time. There should be no shame or condemnation.

The same biblical truths that have encouraged Christians for centuries can encourage those who suffer with mental health today. I pray those walking through the trials of mental health will cling to these words of encouragement.

1. You Are Not Alone

God’s people have suffered—mentally, emotionally, and physically—since the fall in the garden. Even Jesus cried out in despair on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), When we suffer, we are never alone. Never be afraid to reach out for help. Speaking openly about your mental health issues allows those around you to share their own struggles. This allows us all to come together and care for one another.

2). Stop Blaming Yourself. Stop listening to those who may try to put a spiritual guilt trip on you. Mental health issues are not a punishment for sin or lack of faith. As you walk through this journey, I encourage you to keep your eyes on God. He has some amazing plans for your life. Keep leaning into His beautiful promises.

3). Remember, God sees you, loves you and is always with you. Thankfully, we have a wonderful Savior who experiences emotions. As you walk through the effects of mental illness, remember the nearness of Christ. He weeps with you. God knows how He is going to work in and through each of our lives and is with us in the midst of all of our trials. By the amazing grace of God, he sent the Holy Spirit, our comforter and counselor, to be with us , to help us through every moment of life. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:27). He is there for us when we do not have the words.

4). God’s Word Speaks to us (Romans 15:4).

The word of God isn’t afraid to talk about mental and emotional issues.

Keep the truth of God’s words close. Share them with a close friend, family member, or accountability partner who can remind you when you forget or when you do not have the energy or willpower to remind yourself.

The truth is some will deal with mental health issues for a lifetime. But remember, we can all rejoice in the greatness and sovereignty of our loving Savior. I pray that God will make known his love and strength in all of our struggles. ~OC

0

Thoughts on Project 2025

Today’s a new day! I have always felt blessed to have been born and raised in America. Even with all the challenges our nation faces, I am thankful for all the beautiful opportunities. To enjoy the freedoms granted by our constitution’s amendments.

But as I sit and watch all the political ads, rallies and negative rhetoric, I have been struck by the division between our own sense of what it means to be a U.S. citizen and what we’re experiencing in this current election cycle.

By now most of us have heard of Project 2025, a presidential transition project for the next conservative president.

As I have read through Project 2025, I have seen how this project seeks to infuse the federal government with “Christian values,” but the policies it proposes do not reflect the values proclaimed by Jesus Christ.

Side note, before you share any thoughts negative or positive, make sure you have actually read this document.

Project 2025 outlines the efforts of various conservative organizations working together under the leadership of the Heritage Foundation to deconstruct the current administration by assembling a collection of candidates to be considered for hire in the next administration and providing online training for those individuals.

Project 2025 is a 180-day roadmap for the former president to hit the ground running if elected in November. The plan basically outlines four priorities:

*Restore the American family. There definition of the American family.

*Handcuff the bureaucracy. Once again, there definition of bureaucracy.

*Defend the nation by removing the U.S. from international organizations, sealing its borders, and increasing reliance on fossil fuels.

*And Finally, Project 2025 prioritizes the pursuit of happiness, which is startlingly interpreted as follows: “Our Constitution grants each of us the liberty to do not what we want, but what we ought. This pursuit of the good life is found primarily in family – marriage, children, Thanksgiving dinners, and the like.”

Knowing that Project 2025 and its supporters are hoping to “reshape our republic” in this fashion, I cannot sit around and not speak up and help educate. It breaks my heart to think about what our country and our freedoms will look like should this project be implemented. The recent denial from the former president about not knowing anything about Project 2025, does not change my concern over the project and the future of our country. America will never look the same if Project 2025 is implemented.

My concerns are not just about Project 2025, but I am angered by the attempt to co-opt Christianity in support of such radical policies. The kind of Christianity that is being described and embraced in the pages of this project are no where close to the words and actions of Jesus that we read about in the Bible.

I am saddened that so many Christians are less concerned about upholding the dignity of and providing for the needs of those who are most vulnerable in their society – widows, orphans, the imprisoned, the lgbtq+ community, women, those who are dealing with health issues, those who are disabled and those who are poor.

The earliest Christians banded together to share their resources with one another and give to those who were in need. Moreover, Christians throughout history have transcended national allegiances based on their faith, as their faith draws them toward mutual understanding and peaceful relationship with the whole of the human family.

It is true that Christianity has been co-opted throughout the centuries by various political rulers who have used it as a tool to accomplish their purposes (slavery, Jim Crow and dictatorships come to mind). And although some Christian leaders used their religion to achieve political power and prestige, there has always been a strong Christian community that resisted the co-opting of their faith for political purposes, resisted the temptation to join their faith to greed of all kinds, and resisted the joining of their faith with nationalism.

Today, I urge every Christian and all those interested in history not to allow Christianity to be co-opted by a political manifesto that wants to remove our freedom to be ourselves, with all of our differences; that wants to restrict so many freedoms; that wants to allow white supremacy to continue to poison our country’s citizens and communities; that wants to eliminate policies that grant basic dignities to poor people; and that cares only for economic gain to the detriment of our planet and our people.

I am urging everyone to reject Project 2025. I believe our future depends on it and our faith demands it. ~OC

0

Labels

Today’s a new day! What label are you wearing today? Labels? Am I wearing a label? What does it say? Who gave you this label? If you’re wearing a label and it doesn’t reflect who God says you are, then it’s time to rip it off.

I remember when I was in 1st grade, the teacher Ms. Deer sat what she perceived as the “Smart Students” in the front of the class and the perceived “Not So Smart Students” in the back of the class. Without really knowing me, Ms. Deer placed me in the back row. There it was. The “label” I did not ask for, but that was the one that was placed on me. Ms. Deer had no idea that in that one moment, she would define who I was as a student for the rest of my academic career. As look back, I remember always sitting in the back of the class. That “label” Ms. Deer slapped on me may have been invisible to everyone else, but I saw it. I felt it.

We have to be so careful about the labels we slap on people. Because without knowing it, those labels can follow people the rest of their lives. Those labels can end up defining a person.

I am thankful, that I would later have teachers and professors that put a lot of time and effort into pushing me past that “average” label. But I must admit, that label was always in the back of my mind all of my academic career.

I am grateful that God does not look at me and slap on a “average” label. No, God looks at me and all of us and sees masterpieces. God takes the time to look past all the labels the world has put on us and sees that masterpiece. But we need to discover who we are in God. To truly believe who God says we are. Then we need to declare it. Take out that megaphone and shout it out to the world. ~OC

“As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say.” ~Numbers 14:28

0

Chronic Illness and Friendships

Today’s a new day! This is an open letter about dealing with chronic illness and friendships. I apologize for the lengthiness of this post.

Dear Friends, I want to start off by saying, I have a few friends who have stuck by me every step of this health journey. We might not see or talk to each other every day, but we communicate often. I am thankful for each of them. The reason for this open letter is to share how chronic illness can affect a life. A friendship.

I am not angry with the friends who have walked away. I understand you never intended to hurt me. There was no malicious intent. But what unfolded was a by-product of the thoughtless-ness that is pervasive in our society.

As I walk through my crazy beautiful health journey, I have tried my best to stay in touch with friends. Either through visiting, social media, phone calls or text. Some have responded and some have not. A few believe I abandoned them, but I always tell them to check their phones. I will not own abandoning a friend if they do not respond to my phone calls or texts.

After I became very ill, the friendships I had built disappeared in stages. There was the initial drop-off. Hearing from them less and less. Then there were the ones I just never heard from again. Some were just friends on the outer edge, but a few had been close enough to have become like family.

The fact that some disappeared immediately actually made their absence less noticeable because, when I first became ill, I believed without a shadow of a doubt, I would be better soon, and our friendship would return. Sadly, time went on, and our friendship never returned. I had no cause to miss them at the beginning, and, by the time it became clear my illness was not short-term, their absence had become the norm. Chronic illness and friendships were seemingly not compatible.

There have been times I reach out to friends and while they answer, they make no real effort to continue the conversation. I try to keep the conversation going but eventually stop reaching out. Time is precious and I do not have time to waste.

On the occasions when friends do reach out and want to visit, I get excited only to be disappointed when they disappear for months or years. It’s as if they did their duty and reached out to me. They can check it off their list. Those friends circle around again when the guilt hits.

I remember when I experienced a miracle in my 18th year of being ill. Friends and strangers came from everywhere. They all wanted to be around the “Miracle Man.” To hear and use my story. And when my health took a turn for the worse again, most of them disappeared. I was no longer the flavor of the month.

Now into the twenty-first year of my health battle, my circle of friends as become very small. I am thankful for each of them. These days, I am very careful who I allow into my circle. Too many people with their own agendas have caused great pain.

Long-term health issues and friendships can be a difficult balancing act. In the beginning of a health crisis, there are many friends who walk along side the patient. But as the illness lingers, more and more friends drop off. Maybe it’s too overwhelming for them. Maybe it brings back hard memories. I am not sure why friends leave. Please believe me I am not criticizing them. I am sharing this letter to acknowledge we as a society have to do more to support our chronically ill and disabled populations. Not just the patients, but the caregivers too. That’s a whole different letter.

None of the friends who have walked away are bad people. They’re just regular broken people like all of us. But as a person living with long-term health issues, I sometimes wonder if there is something deficient in me that led those friends to leave. Those feelings are just part of the journey.

If you have a friend that is currently dealing with a chronic illness, please take the time to reach out to them. Doing this on a regular basis has a healing effect. In our technology -filled world, this is easy to do. Texting, email, and social media make it easy to stay in touch with people. Set a reminder on your phone to connect with that friend.

I know it can be hard to see a friend or loved dealing with a long-term health issue. Believe me, I have trouble seeing myself this way. But try to acknowledge their differences and limitations while still seeing them through the lens of the friendship you cultivated over the years. A small act of kindness goes a long way. Inviting that sick friend to events, even if you know they’re unable to attend will make them feel as though they haven’t been forgotten.

For those dealing with long-term health issues, please know it’s not your fault nor those around you. It’s not a lack of faith. Chronic illness and friendships aren’t the most comfortable of bedfellows. Could your friends have done better? Maybe. Did they do it intentionally? Probably not. I only believe in blaming people when they act on purpose. When people make a mistake, we shouldn’t punish them. Instead, we should ask them to become more conscious, understanding, and thoughtful. To teach society to act better next time, as I believe we can.

Does this empathy towards the people who unintentionally let me down make me feel better? In some ways, yes, and in others, no. It has allowed me to find clarity about the reality I find myself in. It has stopped me from wasting energy on useless and illogical emotions. It has left an emotional wound. It has left me exhausted.

Throughout this crazy beautiful health journey, I am thankful for my relationship with God. My faith has sustained me during this difficult and long battle. I praise Jesus for never leaving nor forsaking me. For being a real friend. I take comfort in the friendships I have left. I am thankful for the new friendships I will hopefully make along this journey. I am truly living a blessed life. ~OC

0

Today

Today’s a new day! As I scrolled through social media this morning and watched the news, my heart broke with all the hate I saw. A lady in Atlanta trying to burn down the childhood home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. All the antisemitism and hate against Muslims. The hate against Christians. As I scrolled through all this hate, I realized the as Christians we have to step up and act by shining God’s love and light on this hate and violence. We need to pray, to be sure. But those prayers must also be met with peaceful steps of action that respond to this unconscionable violence and evil with a resounding No.

This is not a call to activism per se. This is a call to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus. He provides an example of love for all, and commands that we do the same (Matthew 22:36-40.) But love is not only an emotion we feel for individuals, it is the basis and fuel for action. If we truly love all of our neighbors, it stands to reason that we must act when they come under attack.

The love of God never fails (1 Cor 13), but too often our love does. It fails each time there is an act of racism or hatred perpetrated and we remain silent. In those moments, when we choose not to speak up, to pray, to advocate for change and to educate ourselves and our sphere of influence, we are complicit. Our love does fail at times, and we have the power to change that.

As each of us watch the news or scroll through social media we see the evil of bigotry and racism. The violence we are seeing is where bigotry and racism lead. We need to speak up. Today, we have multiple ways to peacefully make our voices heard. We can talk to our families, speak with our children and co-workers about the realities of hatred and racism. We can engage in thoughtful dialogue online and make posts on social media. We can take steps in our own lives to demonstrate Christ-like, action-oriented love to everyone, and to our neighbors who may be the subject of this violence.

Let’s come together on these issues and decide in our hearts to take some step of action, right now. Today we can make a difference. ~OC

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑