Tag: Encouragement

Christians and Tragedies

Today’s a new day! The past few weeks have been tough for many. So many tragedies happening around America and across the world. I have been saddened by so much hate being posted on social media regarding some of the evil acts of violence. I have been trying to process everything over the past week and did not want to post anything that would cause anymore pain. But today, I am ready to share.

As Christians, we should care when any life is taken through tragic circumstances. It should not matter if we agree or disagree with the person who has been targeted by hateful individuals. So below, is how I choose to respond to tragic events regardless of who the victim is:

  1. Compassion and Empathy: Show love and care for those affected, regardless of differences.
  2. Prayer and Support: Offer spiritual support through prayer and practical help.
  3. Justice and Advocacy: Work towards understanding and addressing the root causes of the tragedy.
  4. Forgiveness and Grace: Embody forgiveness, even when disagreeing with the person involved.
  5. Community and Unity: Come together with others to provide comfort and support.

Here are some biblical references that can help guide how Christians respond to tragedy:

  • Matthew 5:44 (loving enemies and praying for those who persecute)
  • Luke 6:27-36 (loving enemies and doing good to those who hate)
  • Romans 12:14-21 (blessing persecutors and not seeking revenge)

I believe these principles and scriptures can help Christians and nonbelievers navigate through the tough moments we face in life.

Also a word of advice for my brothers and sisters in Christ about responding to social media post. Always remember to handle every situations with kindness, understanding and allow your faith to be a blessing and not a distraction during these complex times. Let your light shine bright at all times.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. Have a wonderful day. Blessings. ~OC

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Love…It’s That Simple

Today’s a new day! As we end another week, I thought I would challenge my Christian brothers and sisters with the following question:

As followers of Jesus, what can we do about all of the issues the world is facing right now?

There are many different directions we could go in answering that question. But as I have sat and pondered this question, one thing stood out to me above everything else. What the world needs from Christians in this time of so much division is Love. It sounds so simple, maybe even a little cliches, but love is the most powerful and effective tool we possess. Love can unlock doors and hearts that have been closed for years. Love is every Christians primary calling from God (Love God and love people Matthew 22:37). So why are so many Christians not extending love to everyone that God brings into their daily lives? I believe it’s because so many Christians are just as hurt as the rest of the world is right now. I believe we all hate where the world is today. But the more Christians choose to express hate, the more division and negativity is spread.

I believe it’s time for Christians to step into the calling that God has placed in each of our hearts. That takes changing our attitudes toward those we disagree with. That means loving those who think differently than us. That means loving those who look differently than us. That means loving those who speak differently than us. That means loving those who worship differently than us. Here’s a big one; it means loving those who vote differently than us. God’s love commands us to love people for who they are, not for what they do. Let that sink in for just a moment. But what does that mean? As I continue my faith journey, God is constantly reminding me that I need to love everyone because He created them in His image, and Jesus came and died a brutal death on the cross for each and everyone of them, regardless of their lifestyles, actions and beliefs.

I believe the job of every Christian is to love people for who they are, not for what they do or don’t do.

Loving people for who they are is the way that Jesus loves each and every one of us. He showed that love while walking on this earth. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of Jesus loving people right where they were. The actions or the position of a person did not matter to Jesus when it came to loving them. All that mattered was that God created them. Loving people unconditionally is the example that Jesus set. In 1 John 4:19 we read these words, We love because He first loved us.”

Loving people unconditionally is not something that comes naturally for most people. It’s a daily choice. We have to choose to love the people in our lives that can be difficult to love. I encourage each of us to make a conscious effort to love even the most difficult people in our lives. Take a moment to think about those difficult people in your own lives. No matter what they believe, no matter what political party they follow, no matter the lifestyle they decide to live, love them because Jesus does. He gave his life for them.

As Christians, we have been called to live like Jesus and unconditional love is what we need to be showing the world.

Jesus died willingly on the cross so that we would be saved. Jesus died regardless of our views, beliefs, or our lifestyle choices. Even if we decided never to follow Him, Jesus still saw each of us as worth dying for. Now that is unconditional love. I believe every Christian is called to love others in the same way that Jesus chooses to love each of us.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, love always perseveres. Love never fails.” ~1 Corinthians 13:4-8

This world is currently in turmoil. This is a great time for Christians to step up and truly love people. All people! Regardless of where they’re at in life. So today, just love people and let Jesus do the rest. Have a great day! ~OC

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The Race Called Life

Today’s a new day! During my running days, I was blessed to complete 350 marathons. Yes, you read that correctly. I can take no credit. It was all God pushing me through those marathons. People often ask me why I ran 350 marathons? I tell them I did not like the number 349.

It’s been a number of years since I was able to run based on my health issues. While I would have never considered myself a professional by any means, I like to think I learned a few things during my running days. Like how to stabilize my breathing (well, I did my best) and how to run at a steady pace. Once again I tried my best. Running is a lot like living the Christian life. We have many lessons to learn. I learned a lot of lessons during my running days that I have been able to apply to my Christian journey.

One of the first lessons you learn when you start running is that you need to have endurance. Whether you’re running a 5K or a 50 miler (yes, I did that), you need to train so that you can run at a steady pace and not get worn out quickly.

The Christian life requires endurance as well. Life can seem long and hard as Christians, especially in the midst of challenges. Many people have made the comparison that life is a marathon, not a sprint, and the same goes for the Christian life. As the writer of Hebrews says, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised” (Hebrews 10:36).

When you’re running, especially long distances, you want to lay aside everything that could weigh you down so that you only have the essentials. Lightweight shoes and light breathable clothing. As a runner you need to find the perfect balance between bringing what is necessary and those things that would just weigh you down.

In the Christian life, we are called to lay aside what weighs us down—namely, sin and any idols in our lives. Hanging on to those idols can cause our faith to falter and stumble. Letting go of idols in our lives frees us to live a life that is dedicated to Jesus. As the writer of Hebrews says:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1–2)

As a runner, you come across trials and challenges. Whether that’s a heatwave, snowstorm, rainstorm, or injury, runners face challenges that impact their race. You can never predict these trials and instead you just have to take them as they come. But you cannot allow the obstacles in life to keep you from living the race God has designed just for you.

In the same way, as Christians we can face unexpected challenges and suffering. From a poor diagnosis, a lost relationship, a lost job or a broken family. This race called life can be difficult. But thankfully, we are being made perfect through the grace of God. As James writes in James 1:2-4, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”

My prayer is that we will all run this race called life with endurance and receive the beautiful gift of eternal life. ~OC

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Are You Willing?

Today’s a new day! A lot of people want to achieve success in life, but are you willing to do the following:

Are you willing to fight through the excuses?

Are you willing to fight through the challenges?

Are you willing to fight through the negative talk?

Are you willing to put in the work?

Are you willing to make sacrifices?

Are you willing to give it all up for God? ~OC

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Vision

Today’s a new day! As we start this new week, let’s take some time to talk about vision.

“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” ~Proverb 29:18

Vision is the ability to see God’s plans concerning our future. Vision is revelation that gives life meaning, value, direction, significance and purpose. Vision holds endless possibilities of what could be and what should be. Without vision there is nothing that keeps our lives on track and we end up wondering through life with no purpose. Author and Educator Helen Keller once said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” If our vision is compromised, it’s like a boat with no rudder. We will aimlessly wonder around with no direction.

When we have clear vision it gives us the ability to imagine what our future might hold. Vision gives us the ability to dream big dreams. Living with vision gives us hope to make it through the tough days and moments in life. Vision inspires the depressed and motivates the discouraged. God created each of us for a purpose. Within that purpose is our vision for life. I believe purpose is knowing and understanding what God created us to accomplish in life, and vision is when we conceive it in our minds through faith and begin to live it out. Vision is a glimpse of our future that God has designed just for us. ~OC

Today’s Prayer:

Dear God, I pray you would bless each of us with vision and a purpose that can only come from you. I pray all of this in the matchless and powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

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Breakthrough

Good morning! As I have walked this crazy beautiful health journey the last twenty-three years, I have had many moments where I needed a breakthrough from God. As we walk into a new week filled with new challenges, I want to share some things I have done when I needed a breakthrough at different moments in my life.

Pray: This may seem obvious, but sometimes we get so caught up in the roller coaster of life we forget to pray.

But prayer should never be our last resort. It should be the first thing we do when facing challenges in life. We also need to call on some trusted friends to pray on our behalf.

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” ~Psalm 130:5

Fast: When coupled with prayer, fasting is a powerful tool to use when you need a breakthrough. And fasting doesn’t mean you have to give up food. A fast is about sacrificing something, so you can clearly hear from God. He may asked you to give up social media, a hobby or tv. Some things do not break with just prayer alone. When you need a breakthrough, fasting is crucial to seeing it come to pass.

“So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.” ~Ezra 8:23

Build Your Faith: I’m just going to be straight up with you: Every breakthrough that I have personally experienced came from leaning into the promises of God. Thankfully, He is so gracious that He has not left us to figure out how to grow in our faith on our own.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” ~Romans 10:17

Be Patient and Consistent: As I share this last point, I must warn you that breakthroughs can take time. The breakthrough you need may not come the first time you pray – or the hundredth. It may take weeks or even years. We cannot control the time, but we know that God can. He is always faithful. Our part is to stay consistent. So keep on praying. Keep on fasting. Keep on listening to the word. Keep believing in God. Your day of breakthrough will happen in God’s perfect timing for you.

If you’re waiting for your breakthrough the best thing you can do is remember that it will come at the perfect time. So press in to God and be patient. Your Breakthrough is coming! ~OC

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Beauty Marks

Today’s a new day! Instead of looking at our scars in a negative light, make the choice to look at your scars as beauty marks. Our beauty marks help tell our story and lets the world know that God is faithful and is healing us every day. Let your scars shine! ~OC

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Prayers For A New School Year

Today’s a new day! A new school year starts for many today. I want to pray for this new school year. ~OC

Dear God, as a new school year starts, I want to pray for each of the students, teachers, administrators and school staff. May they each experience patience, wisdom, and a school year filled with hope. God, I pray this school year is filled with amazing opportunities and blessings. I also pray this school year is filled with Your peace and safety. May this school year be filled with amazing success and memories. I pray all of this in Your powerful and matchless name. Amen.

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No Limits

Today’s a new day! There are no limits to what God can do when you’re planted exactly where He has called you to grow. Where you plant yourself matters. ~OC

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Never Give Up

Today’s a new day! I think most people do not like to be uncomfortable. Most people do not like the hard moments in life. Most people do not like to be burdened or inconvenienced. Yet, in the tough moments in life, God never calls us to give up. Instead, He calls us to keep on pushing and trusting Him, even in the most difficult moments.

As a former marathon runner and someone who has been walking through a crazy beautiful health journey for over twenty years, I am used to being uncomfortable. I am used to the hard moments in life.

As I have walked through the tough moments in life, here are a few lessons I have learned:

Never give up on your prayers.

Never give up on the people God has placed in your life.

Never give up on your dreams.

Never give up on yourself.

Never give up when you face hard times or failures.

Most importantly, never give up on God.

The beautiful thing about God and his amazing grace is that He never gives up on us. He calls us back even when we decide to stray away and do things on our own. God is always there waiting for us with open arms. Remember, every battle we will ever face was defeated on the cross when Jesus gave his life for us.

I am not sure what type of season you’re walking through at this moment. Maybe you have been praying the same prayers over and over for years, but they seem like they will never be answered. Don’t give up.

I want to encourage you to never limit God and put him in a nicely decorated box. Allow Him to work through you and never give in to those temptations to give up.

Looking back on all of my marathons, I am so glad I completed each of my races and never gave into the temptation to quit. Based on my health, those marathons were never easy on my body, but each taught me about overcoming and to never give up.

I believe our faith and life journey is like a marathon, it’s not promised to be easy, it’s going to be hard and full of twist and turns, but our finish line and reward in eternity is far greater than anything we could ever imagine.

So today, keep pushing, keep fighting and never give up. ~OC

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” ~2 Timothy 4:7

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