Tag: faith

Love And Redemption

Today’s a new day! From the garden where creation bloomed in light,
Where You walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of night,
Every promise whispered in the fall,
You had a plan to redeem us all
Through the prophets and the years of waiting,
Love was writing history in the making.

In a manger lay the Hope of man,
God incarnate, the great I Am,
Healing hearts and calming seas,
Carrying chains to Calvary
On that Cross where mercy bled,
You bore our sin, the crown of thorns on Your head.

But the stone was rolled and death undone,
The grave could not hold Heaven’s Son,
Resurrection morning broke,
Living hope in every soul
The Spirit came like wind and flame,
Empowering us to lift Your name.

And one bright day the sky will part,
Trumpets sound and every heart
Will see the King in glorious light,
Faith made sight, wrong made right
Every knee will bow and sing,
Jesus Christ is Lord and King.

From the Garden to the Cross,
From the grave to glory’s dawn,
Father, the risen Son, to the Holy Spirit-our Helper,
The story of love goes on and on
Hallelujah, we proclaim,
Salvation written in Your name,
Three in One, forever reign,
All honor, all power, all praise. ~OC

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Rise And Live Again

Today’s a new day!
In the silence of the midnight hour,
When the weight of the world feels strong,
There’s a whisper breaking through the dark,
A steady voice, a healing son
When my strength begins to fade away,
And my heart can barely stand,
I remember where my help comes from—
Held in nail-scarred hands.


It’s the power of God’s hope that lifts me,
The power of His unfailing love,
The power of His sweet compassion
Pouring down from above
His grace is more than enough for me,
His peace calms every storm within,
In the power of His forgiveness
I rise and live again.


When regret tries to rewrite my past,
And shame knocks at my door,
His mercy speaks a better word
Than I have ever heard before
He doesn’t see my brokenness
As something to condemn,
He wraps me in His righteousness
And calls me His child again.


In a world that’s torn by hurt and fear,
Where hearts are slow to trust,
His Spirit breathes a deeper truth—
From ashes, beauty comes from dust
He teaches us to love like Him,
To serve and not divide,
To carry hope into the night
With mercy as our guide.


Hope for the weary,
Love for the lost,
Grace that was given
No matter the cost
Peace like a river,
Forgiveness so wide—
All of His power
Now living inside. ~OC

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The Power of Prayer

Today’s a new day!  Prayer is more than a ritual or a religious routine—it is a lifeline. In the middle of ordinary days filled with deadlines, doctor appointments, family responsibilities, and unexpected challenges, prayer anchors us. It recenters our hearts when the world feels chaotic and reminds us that we are not navigating life alone. Through prayer, we exchange anxiety for peace, confusion for clarity, and weakness for strength. It doesn’t always change our circumstances immediately, but it changes us—our perspective, our endurance, and our hope.

The power of prayer is found in its consistency. Daily prayer builds spiritual resilience the same way daily exercise builds physical strength. When we make space each morning to seek God, we begin the day aligned rather than reactive. When we pause in the afternoon to whisper a quiet prayer, we invite wisdom into our decisions. When we end the night in gratitude, we train our hearts to see blessings even in hardship. Prayer shapes our character, softens our responses, and deepens our trust.

Prayer also connects us to something greater than ourselves. It reminds us that our struggles are seen, our tears are counted, and our victories are celebrated in heaven. In moments when we feel isolated, prayer assures us that God is near. In seasons of pain, it becomes a place of refuge. In times of joy, it becomes an overflow of thanksgiving. Over time, prayer transforms from something we do into a way we live—an ongoing conversation with a faithful God who walks with us through every valley and every mountaintop.

In our daily lives, prayer is power—not because of eloquent words or perfect phrases, but because of the One who hears. And when we learn to lean into that power, we discover that even the smallest prayer can carry us through the biggest battles. ~OC

***Check out the Spoken Word version at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

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Take Our Brokenness

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him,who have been called according to His purpose.” ~Romans 8:28

Today’s a new day! Sometimes, God allows us to experience broken bodies so that we can realize we have an even greater need—a broken heart. A broken heart that needs Him. If we will let Him, God wants to take our broken hearts, and pour His love in. That is part of the “good” that He wants to work for us in the Scripture verse above. He wants to heal our brokenness, and in so doing, bring good out of it. And then, as only God can do, He wants to work through us to show a world of hurting and broken hearts that He can do the same for them. That is part of what He means when He says that we have been “called according to His purpose.”

God actually has a purpose for each and every one of us. No matter how broken we feel inside, God has a purpose for us. We may not see how, but God can take broken bodies and broken hearts and use them for good in His great purposes. All He needs is a willing heart. 

We often feel, though, that we are too big of a mess for God to accept. But in reality, He desperately wants us to turn to Him in the middle of our mess and lift our arms up to Him, just like when we were a child and we turned to our parents or grandparents in the middle of a mess that was often from our own doing. 

All that God needs is a willing heart. Because if we are willing, even though we may feel like we’re are a total mess, God will honor whatever faith we can muster, and take our brokenness and turn it into something truly beautiful.

 Dear God, I pray that You will take our brokenness and use it for good in your great purposes. I pray that You will use our “I can’t” situations to show us what You CAN do and want to do in our lives. Thank you, God, for hearing our prayer. In Jesus’ great name, Amen.” ~OC

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Heart Check

Today’s a new day! As Christians, we’re called to be mindful of our words and actions. What we post, like, and share on social media, how we treat people in public and private, and the voices we choose to amplify all matter. But are we living what we preach? It’s easy to quote scriptures online, but do our lives reflect the teachings of Jesus? 

The disconnect is real. We might share verses about love and kindness, but our actual lives paint a different story. It’s time to take a step back and check our hearts. Are we prioritizing compassion, humility, and integrity? Are we spreading God’s love and peace , or just adding to the noise? As Believers, our words and actions are a reflection of our faith.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on our online presence, our relationships, and our daily choices. Are they aligned with the teachings of Jesus? Let’s strive to be more authentic, more compassionate, and more intentional. Let’s make our faith visible in our actions, not just our words. #HeartCheck #FaithInAction ~OC

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A Flag, Scripture, and a False Dichotomy?

Today’s a new day! Dear Church and Christian Community, let’s have a heart-to-heart. Waving the American flag and quoting scripture can be a powerful expression of faith and patriotism, but it’s crucial to ensure our actions align with the values we claim to uphold. When we selectively cherry-pick scriptures to justify our political agendas, we risk distorting the message of the Bible.

The Bible is clear: we are to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). Jesus’ teachings, often highlighted in red, call us to a higher standard – one of compassion, humility, and justice. When we prioritize politics over these principles, we create a false dichotomy. Either we’re living out the red letters of the Bible, or we’re practicing a watered-down, politicized version of faith.

So, let’s strive for authenticity. Let’s read the Bible in its entirety, embracing the hard truths and the beautiful promises. Let’s follow Jesus’ example, loving the marginalized, feeding the hungry, and caring for the least of these. If we do, we’ll create a community that truly reflects the heart of God – not a political ideology. ~OC

***You can check out the Spoken Word version at my YouTube channel Todd E.Shoemaker Music.

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Real Talk

Today’s a new day! 

I’m gonna be real with you. 

Lately, I have hit a wall physically, mentally and emotionally. 

Some days the weight just stacks up heavier than usual, and you feel it in places nobody can see.

But I want you to hear this clearly: 

Hitting a wall doesn’t mean you’re defeated. 

It means you’ve been running hard. 

It means you care. 

It means you’re human.

I am learning that even strong faith-filled people have moments where they need to sit down, catch their breath, and let God hold the weight for a minute. 

I’m doing that right now, resting my mind, leaning on prayer, and letting the people who truly love me love me.

If you’re reading this and you’ve hit your own wall lately- emotionally, spiritually, mentally- don’t beat yourself up. 

Take a Pause. 

Take a Breath.

Don’t be afraid to Reach Out for help.

You don’t have to power through this life alone.

I am grateful for every prayer, every message, every ounce of encouragement family, friends and strangers have sent my way. 

It truly carries me on days when the race feels overwhelming. 

Today, I am:

Still Standing.

Still Believing.

Still Pushing Through. 

Still Running the Race. 

Still Thankful.

Still Blessed. 

I pray everyone has a beautiful and blessed day. ~OC

***If you would like to hear the Spoken Word version of this post, check it out at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

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Conviction Over Applause

Today’s a new day! In a world that’s loud and proud, it’s easy to get caught up in the cheers and applause. But what’s the point of standing on a stage if your heart’s not in the right place?

I’d rather stand on conviction than seek the spotlight’s glare

A quiet resolve that echoes, “I’ve got faith, I don’t care”

It’s not about the praise or the crowd’s loud cheer

It’s about standing firm, even when nobody’s watching

Applause is fleeting, but conviction’s strong and true

It’s the backbone of courage, when the world’s pushing back, too

It’s the difference between living for God and living for praise

One brings eternal impact, the other just temporary days

So I’ll take the path less traveled, the one that’s often hard to see

I’ll follow my heart’s conviction, even if it means standing alone with me

For in the end, it’s not the applause that brings true peace

It’s the quiet voice that says, “You’ve done what you were meant to be”

When the noise dies down and the crowd disperses wide

I’ll stand on my conviction, with faith as my guide

For in the silence, I’ll hear God’s voice clear

“Well done, my child, you’ve nothing to fear” ~OC

****If you would like to hear this put to music, check out my YouTube channel at Todd E. Shoemaker Music. Thanks.

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Soar!

Today’s a new day!

You were created to fly,

Don’t let the darkness clip your wings,

You were meant to rise above,

Like an eagle, you’re designed to thrive.

Listen, you’ve got a fire in your soul,

A spark that flickers, a flame that makes you whole.

Don’t let the haters, don’t let the doubts creep in,

You’re a difference maker, let your spirit win.

God created you unique, a masterpiece divine,

Don’t hide your light, let it shine.

Spread your wings and soar,

Like an eagle, rise above the fray,

You’re meant to fly, don’t be afraid,

Stretch out your wings, let your spirit be displayed.

Comfort zone’s a cozy place to stay,

But growth happens when you step out into the day.

The winds of change, they may shake your world,

But you’re anchored in faith, you’ll find your way.

You’ve got a voice, use it, let it be heard,

A message of hope, in a world that’s blurred.

Spread your wings and soar,

Like an eagle, rise above the fray,

You’re meant to fly, don’t be afraid,

Stretch out your wings, let your spirit be displayed.

Fear’s a liar, it’s a heavy chain,

But faith’s the key, it’s the weight that remains.

You were made for more, don’t settle for less,

You’re a world changer, let your dreams possess.

The sky’s not the limit, it’s just the view,

You’re destined for greatness, let it be true.

Spread your wings and soar,

Like an eagle, rise above the fray,

You’re meant to fly, don’t be afraid,

Stretch out your wings, let your spirit be displayed.~OC

***You can watch a Spoken Word of this writing on my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

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Finding Purpose In The Pause

Lately, I’ve been getting a few messages asking how I’m doing, and how I spend my days. Honestly, it’s a bit of a challenge, but I continue to find beauty in the struggle. As I navigate this crazy beautiful journey with multiple health issues, I am reminded that life is not easy. It’s a little harder getting around these days, so I spend most of my days at home. 

My health journey is a rollercoaster, and it’s okay to admit that it’s tough. Some days are better than others. But my constant desire is to walk closer with God every day and to connect with other people. Trying to put my thoughts together to write these days is much harder, but God helps me through,  because it’s my way of connecting with people and letting those who are struggling know they’re not alone. If I didn’t share, I’d be stuck in silence, alone and that’s a lonely place to be.

My days are pretty simple. I spend most of my time in prayer, trying to write and read when my body allows. It’s not glamorous, but it’s my reality. And you know what?  I am learning to find purpose in the pause, to cherish the quiet moments, and to share my story with others who might be walking a similar path.

I am not writing this for sympathy or to complain. I’m writing this to remind society, that people walking through health battles still need and want to connect with others. I am the same person I have always been, just a little slower. But my story isn’t over yet. And I want people walking through their own storms, to know that you’re seen, you’re heard, you’re loved and you’re not alone. 

As I continue on this journey, I’m grateful for the few friends who have decided to stick around, even when life gets hard.  And to those who’ve disappeared, I am doing my best to understand why. But I am learning to cherish the ones who stay and to find joy in the connections we have made along the way.

If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone. Keep writing, keep praying, and keep pushing forward. And if you need someone to talk to, I am a phone call away. Let’s connect and walk this journey together. ~OC

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