Tag: Encouragement

Love Over Hate

As I scroll through social media, I see a lot of Christians who share hateful and mean post. This breaks my heart. As I pray for these misguided people, God brought some things to my mind.

*You can not truly love Jesus if hate is living inside your heart. Look at his life. He had every reason to have hate in his life. But the life and death of Jesus was all about love.

*If you hate someone or something, that means you hate God’s creation. This world was built on love. We the people of this world ruined that beautiful creation. But with the love of Jesus we can build up and encourage a broken world.

*We have to be willing to show grace and forgiveness to others. Look what Jesus has done in our lives.

*We cannot show the love of Jesus with nasty rotten fruit. Where are you planting your seeds? Are spending time planting good seeds?

I will always choose love over hate. I hope you will join me. Share Love. ~OC

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Stop Gossiping

Have you ever been outside watering your lawn and a neighbor comes rushing a across the street to share the latest neighborhood gossip? Or worse, you are in church and a group of folks call you over to share the latest church gossip. We have all been there. How do you react when someone wants to share the latest 411 on somebody. Here are some tips I hope help in the fight against gossip.

* Confront the person sharing the gossip. This can be difficult, but is necessary to stop hurtful gossip.

*Shut it down. Do not even let the person get the words out of their mouth. Once again, not easy but necessary.

*Totally surprise the gossiper and say something positive about the person they are sharing dirt on. You may have to pick them off the floor.

*Remind them that somebody is probably gossiping about them. Check out the look on their face with that one.

*Share true facts about the situation if you have been given permission to do so. Sadly, a gossiper really doesn’t want to hear the truth. Where’s the fun in that? I am kidding of course.

*Turn gossip into a time of prayer. Instead of getting caught up in the gossip, take time to pray for the person or situation.

This is just a small list. Take a moment and come up with additional ways to shut down gossip. ~OC

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A Good Friend

Having good friends who love and support you makes life more happy. Making memories with friends is amazing. Having friends who stick with you during your biggest storms is priceless. So my question for everyone is “What makes a good friend?”

  • A good friend is with you during the good times and bad times. If you are walking through a storm keep an eye on those that walk with you and those that bail.
  • A good friend will never judge you. They may speak truth in your life, but it will be done with no judgment.
  • A good friend will never deliberately hurt you.
  • A good friend will always show respect and kindness.
  • A good friend is someone who will support your wildest dreams.
  • A good friend will never gossip about you.
  • A good friend will always be honest with you. Even when the truth hurts.
  • A true friend will cry and laugh with you.
  • A good friend will pick up the phone just to check on you.
  • A good friend will always listen.

This is just a short list qualities to look for in a friend. I encourage you to spend some time making your own list. ~OC

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Seeds of Hope

When we plant seeds, our hope is that we will one day see a beautiful strong tree. The sprouting of new life. New birth. That seed needs nutrients to grow and experience new life. As human beings we need that same care.

As you continue to water and tend to your needs, you will hopefully begin to see fruit. New Life. Let’s look at some of the fruits we may see as we continue to grow and prosper. As we see the seeds of hope growing.

  1. Hope bears the fruit of love.
  2. Hope bears the fruit of patience.
  3. Hope bears the fruit of love.
  4. Hope bears the fruit of peace.
  5. Hope bears the fruit of joy.

Of course we will not see this fruit overnight. No, it will take patience, care and grace. But if we will put in the work, we will one day see a strong solid tree with deep roots. A tree/life able to withstand the strongest winds and storms. Where will you plant your seeds? ~OC

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My Incurable Walk

I am often asked how I pray and talk with someone dealing with an incurable illness. For me if comes a little easy because I have been dealing with my own incurable diseases for over 15 years.

For some the thought of speaking to someone dealing with a incurable disease can fill us with fear. Whatever your feeling, you can trust that God hears our cries. He hears even our most desperate prayers. I am grateful for all of the prayers offered up for me during my own crazy beautiful health journey.

When we pray with someone going through the worst storms, it can bring hope to that person. I am always strengthened by the prayers of others. And I am always blessed and strengthened by the prayers of others.

So if you are walking through an incurable storm, I encourage you to pray for others and allow others to pray for you. Allow your incurable walk to help you grow into the person God created you to be. Blessings. ~OC

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Music Therapy

For years, I have set in hospitals and treatment rooms based on my medical issues. Some of those hospital stays lasted weeks and those IV treatments lasted hours. Some days my days were spent listening to music.

Music has always been a major part of my life. From my parents playing music in the house to hanging out with friends at many concerts. I love music.

Throughout my health journey, music therapy has helped me through many days alone in the hospital. I have been blessed to love and experience many genres of music.

For anyone going through a storm in life, find some headphones and turn up some good music. ~OC

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When We Suffer

I have been asked many times why I have dealt with so much physical suffering in my life? I am not 100% sure, but I know God has taught me many lessons during my health journey. Beautiful lessons I would never trade. Here are a few lessons I have learned about suffering during my medical journey.

Suffering prepares us to help others. I have been blessed with the opportunity to walk with many people during their health journey.

Suffering helps us grow in our walk with God. My relationship with God has grown so much during my health journey.

Suffering can bring relationships closer. My wife Laura and I have watched our marriage grow during my health journey. I am a better husband.

Suffering conforms us into God’s image. When people are suffering, the encouraging words from someone who has dealt with suffering can bring beautiful hope.

Remember, if we seek God through His word and prayer, we will find Him. God understands our pain because he too suffered. ~OC

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Living In Hope

Hope guides us through the tough days. Through the storms. Our hope comes from our faith and trust in God. Our hope grows deeper as our relationship in God strengthens.


Hope is often found as we walk through health issues. As we deal with life and death issues, we lean more on the love and hope of God. During these storms we experience the hope of wisdom, the hope peace and the hope of healing. Remember, that healing can come in many forms. Only in the arms and grace of God can we find a firm foundation.

Take your burdens to God and leave them at the cross. He is our Savior and only hope. God’s love and care for us is everlasting. ~OC

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Hello Old Friends

In 2007, I was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s and in March 2009, I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. There is no cure for either of these diseases. Actually less than 30 people in the world have been diagnosed with both.

In November 2019, I experienced an incredible healing regarding these two illnesses. For over a year, I did not deal with symptoms of Parkinson’s or Myasthenia Gravis. Then In 2021, Covid wrecked my body. After Covid I began showing signs of Parkinson’s and Myasthenia Gravis. My medical team shared Covid caused these diseases to return. Thank you Covid.

I will not allow these new challenges to steal my hope or joy. I truly believe God is going to use these new challenge to help me share His love with more people. These old friends will not beat me. Staying Focused. Finishing Strong. ~OC

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Dear Stroke

Dear Stroke,

You tried taking me out a few weeks ago. You thought you had me down for the count. But once again God had other plans for me. So God 1 Stroke 0.

I have some things I want to share with you stroke. I want to to know you do not define me. I am not Todd the stroke patient. No, I am The Blessed Overcomer who just happened to have a stroke. You get no victory. God gets all the praise.

Yes, my left side is still weak and I still do not know the days of the week. But I truly believe I will experience complete healing and restoration in those areas. Dear Stroke, you will never win. God and I will not let you. I will push through therapy and continue to make improvements. I plan on ditching the cane one day.

Each and every day I get out of bed and face the challenges of the day and take back everything you tried to steal. The battle is not over. You might be powerful and strong, but you’ve got nothing on the power of God for those–like me and those who pray for me–who believe. ~OC

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