Today’s a new day! Harsh words, can bring heavy storms and division. Loving words spoken softly, bring peace and mend the soul. Kind words act as a bridge to a better world. Love’s gentle touch, forever sustains us through the storms. Healing hearts bring us peace and joy. Be part of putting the broken pieces back together again. ~OC
Paying the Price
Today’s a new day! It started in 2016 and continued through the 2024 election. Many churches and many in the Christian community decided political power was more important than the Gospel. I believe the Church and Christian community will pay the price for these decision for many years to come.
Over the last decade, we have seen church attendance continue to decline. I believe one of the reasons for this is because the Church and many in the Christian community have abandoned the gospel for political power.
Here are just a few reasons I came up with this conclusion.
1). No political leader or political party is immune from the fallenness of humanity. One party or president may do a better job than another, but at the end of the day, life remains pretty much as it has through the course of human history, and the human heart is still “deceitful above all things and beyond cure” (Jeremiah 17:9).
The gospel tells us that we are in a helpless state and that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But in His great mercy, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
2). So many Christians see the Republicans Party as “the power of God that brings salvation,” which is only true of the gospel itself (Romans 1:16). So many Christians believe if their candidate wins, then he will fix all of the problems in society and bring prosperity, safety, and peace to all. That’s not going to happen, and that’s not what government was designed to do. No political candidate or party has the power to bring everlasting change.
On the other hand, the gospel is powerful enough to take dead men and make them alive “because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).
3). So many Christians forget which kingdom demands our total allegiance. While we are called to obey our governmental authorities, our ultimate allegiance does not belong to a political leader, a party, or even a nation. Jesus said in John 18 that His kingdom is “not of this world.” The kingdom of God is greater than any earthly kingdom, and it operates on a completely different value system. The kingdoms of earth say, “Blessed are the rich and powerful”; the kingdom of heaven says, “Blessed are you who are poor” (Luke 6:20).
4). So many Christians allow their heavenly citizenship to be eclipsed by their earthly citizenship. As Christian’s, when we allow this to happen, we can find ourselves sucked into the political vortex and filled with anger, vitriol, hatred for the other side. Some Christian’s have become consumed with what happens here and now and forget that they’re only on earth for a short time. This is not the way of Christ. The gospel says that we are but “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11) and that “our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).
5). We focus on the temporal instead of the eternal. Politics, campaigns, and cultural issues are all significant parts of our lives on earth, but they won’t last forever. Scripture reminds us that life is but a vapor, “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). The gospel, however, will be relevant for all of eternity. So we must not lose sight of what matters the most—namely, our relationship with Christ and telling others about Him.
6). We underestimate the sovereignty of the God who raises up kings and brings them down (Daniel 2:21). We can be tempted to think that “we the people” determine the fate of the nation when we go to the ballot box. Yet God is ultimately the one who calls our leaders and grants them authority to govern. So should we even bother to vote? By all means, yes, for the same reason we pray even though God has marked out the future. There is great mystery and tension in between the sovereignty of God and the moral responsibility of man. But Scripture is clear that God is the one who “makes nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges nations, and disperses them” (Job 12:23).
7). Over the last decade, so many Christian’s decided to set aside humility and love, and pick up pride and anger. They hold on so tightly to their own views on a candidate or an issue that they lash out against those who see things differently. Believe it or not, it is possible to disagree with someone without hating them. The gospel calls us to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). Since we are in Jesus’ kingdom, we need to refrain from vitriolic rhetoric and dialogue, “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
8). So many Christian’s view their candidate as a messiah. Most followers of Christ would not actually believe that a presidential hopeful is the Messiah, but it sure has looked that way over the last decade. So many Christians act as though they’r electing someone who will lead America into an age of glory and righteousness. But no mere human could ever attain such goals.
The gospel says that the true Messiah has already come. “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true by being in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).
And it says that He is coming again. “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10).
9). So many Christians forget who the ruler of this present darkness is. If it seems like politics can be filled with lies and vitriol, there is a reason for that. Jesus refers to Satan as the “prince of this world” (John 14:30), and he is a master of division and deception. There is actually “no truth in him,” Jesus says, “for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). No wonder social media is filled with political rhetoric that slanders and defames.
The Scriptures tell us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Christians must be careful not to partake in such divisive and vicious assaults, for in so doing, we employ the worldly tactics of our enemy.
10). So many Christians want a “fixer” rather than a Redeemer. They look to political leaders to provide perfect solutions for the problems of the day, but even the most effective politician can only put Band-Aids on our societal wounds. A fixer provides temporary solutions to temporary issues. A redeemer, on the other hand, lays down his very life to bring complete restoration. Jesus did not come to “fix” us; rather, He “gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own” (Titus 2:14). Because of this great redemption, “you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:18).
At the end of the day, my greatest concern is not so much whom you vote for and support, but rather that you keep a proper perspective on the purpose and limits of politics, and the power and glory of the gospel. Do not abandon the gospel for politics. Rather, let us be humble and loving toward others, even those with whom we adamantly disagree, because “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). We must not allow temporal struggles to distract us from our eternal joy, “so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). We must trust in the sovereign power and will of Almighty God, remembering that “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).
Dear Christian , I encourage you to not exchange the infinite beauty of the gospel for temporary political fixes. If you find yourself placing more hope in politics than in the gospel, know that you will find no rest there. Instead, regardless of the outcome of this and future elections, rest in the promise and hope that the gospel brings. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). ~OC
The Election is Over…Now What?
Today’s a new day! The election is over…now what? ~OC
Our nation has spent the last few years tearing each other apart. Now, as the 2024 election results have been tabulated and Donald Trump will become the 47th president of the United States of America, we have a tough task staring us in the face. We must pull ourselves together as one nation. We must make the choice to reach across the aisle and find a way to work together.
That family member, friend or neighbor that you exchanged unflattering names with is still in your life today. Nobody is moving out of the country. Or the house. So will we continue to flip them “the bird” or will we extend a hand and find a way to carry on in a loving and respectful way?
As I write this blog post, the American people have spoken. Half of America will wake up celebrating this morning and the other half will want to stay under the covers. So this Wednesday morning we have a new President-Elect, many laws and amendments have been passed or rejected.
So the political commercials are over, no more political phone calls /text or political rallies. So, now what?
During times like this we tend to turn to music to soothe our souls and help us through the uncertain times of life. Here is the chorus to the 1985 classic That’s What Friends Are For:
Keep smilin’, keep shinin’
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
That’s what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
That’s what friends are for
One of the challenges of relationships is disagreement. Yesterday, those disagreements were not settled in a voting booth. But today, it’s time to move forward and return to being civilized neighbors and friends. If we cannot manage that, we will have lost the ability to be caring and respectful human beings.
Today, I will continue to pray for America. Today, I will continue to stand up and speak out for what’s right. Today, I will continue to respect those I disagree with. Today, I will continue to look at what unites us over what divides us. Today, I will continue to choose love over hate. I will probably not be perfect in that area. But I will surely try.
Do I have concerns about the future of America? Yes, I do. But I will continue to use the power of the written word to share my concerns and challenge others to speak out. I will not be silent.
But today, as I turn to my family, friends and neighbors the words of singer/songwriter Randy Newman come to mind:
“When the road looks rough ahead
And you’re miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
You just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you’ve got a friend in me
Yeah, you’ve got a friend in me.”
Love Through Our Differences
Today’s a new day! Well, it’s finally here. After months of political ads, speeches, debates and political rallies, it’s finally Election Day. In a few hours, or possibly a few weeks we will have a new president. But sadly, this election and the last few elections have divided America. Everyone has their opinions and sometimes are not open to other points of view.
In our current political climate, it seems almost impossible for anyone to cross party aisles. And if our elected officials cannot bring themselves to be open-minded to opposing views, what hope is there for the rest of us? Navigating a relationship with a family member or friend who has different political views than you do isn’t easy. But it can be done. It will take some hard work and open minds, but we can walk away from the 2024 election still loving our family and friends. Here are a few steps we can take to make sure our relationships are intact after today’s vote.
Be Curious: Ask questions. Take the time to find out about why someone thinks the way they do and share your experiences. We do not need to be condescending when sharing our political points of view. Do not make people feel stupid if they have questions. Instead, encourage them to continue asking questions. This is how we get to know each other. Our differences should be something we celebrate. Not demonize.
Listen: It’s easy to tell yourself you are open-minded. But when your family member or friend has an entirely different political viewpoint you may find yourself wanting to defend your beliefs instead of listening to theirs. It’s important to resist that impulse. If you’re taking the time to sit down and discuss a certain topic, both of you need to be really present in the conversation. Distractions should be kept to a minimum as you engage in conversation.
So how do you and your loved ones actively listen to each other? One way to do this is by reiterating the point you just heard them make by saying “This is what I heard you say, am I correct?”. This allows your family member/friend to confirm this or correct themselves if it didn’t come across in the way they hoped it would. In return, your family/friend should offer you the same courtesy. The whole point of a discussion is to see how someone arrived at their opinion; Arguing over why their opinion is wrong is not.
Monitor Your Reaction: When you are having a spirited conversation about political differences that you know both you and your family/friend are passionate about, there are ways to ensure that the discussion will not get heated. Before jumping in, take some time to organize your thoughts. By allowing yourself to take a breath you lessen the risk of saying something angry and disrespectful. If there is a point when voices are being raised or volatility is starting to take over, that’s your cue to take a timeout and return to the discussion when you are both level-headed enough to continue. Even a simple “Hey, this is important and I want to talk about it, but I’m feeling pretty upset right now. Maybe we can talk tomorrow?” can make a huge difference.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: It’s more than a Aretha Franklin song. There is nothing wrong with questioning your beliefs. Although, to be honest, it can be terrifying when it happens.
We allow ourselves to be open to new ideas when we question what we originally thought we knew. Though, keep in mind, your family/friend should never force their beliefs on you. A supportive family member or friend would never try to influence your opinions. Instead, they would tell you this is how they see an issue and that how you process that information is up to you.
There you go. Not every relationship can survive political differences. Sadly, that’s just part of life. However, if you find yourself in a conversation with a family member or friend with different political beliefs or opinions than you, open and honest communication is going to be more important than ever. Do not be afraid to talk to each other about your opinions and ask questions if you want to know more. The key is to always be respectful of each other’s thoughts and feelings. After all, love has no political affiliations. ~OC
The “Hypothetical Game”
Today’s a new day! A few weeks ago, I wrote about the “What If” game (10/22/24). Today as our nation votes for a new president, I want to write about the “Hypothetical Game.”
As most of you know, the abortion issue will be a major factor for many as they head to the polls today. That is the only reason some people are voting for former President Trump and against Vice-President Harris. But let’s play the “Hypothetical Game.”
But before we play this game, I have to share I believe life matters from the womb to the grave. But I am also concerned about the women who have to make one of the toughest decisions they’ll ever have to make in life. Their lives matter too. And as a man, I will never have to make that tough decision.
I also want to speak to the Christian community about our part in this abortion debate. As I heard many of my Christian friends celebrating the overturning of Roe v. Wade, this question came to my mind. “How many babies are you going to adopt, since Roe has been overturned?” Pretty much complete silence and as of 11/5/24, still mostly crickets.
Then we have the foster care system in the United States. It continues to grow. I believe those number will only get bigger in the coming years. I have a few friends who have stepped up and fostered or adopted children out of the foster care system. They are true heroes to me. But I have to be honest. I have more friends and acquaintances, who continue to complain about the evils of abortion and how sad the foster care system is, but have not stepped up to foster or adopt one of those precious children they love to talk about.
But let’s get back to the “Hypothetical Game.”
If the former president wins, a national abortion ban could follow (I do not believe Trump is being honest when he says he won’t sign it). The ban could establish criminal penalties for women who get abortions. And that’s not all.
It’s not a stretch to see each state begin to add language or emphasis to mandatory reporter laws – which require people in certain professions to report to authorities reasonable suspicions of child abuse and neglect – to include reporting women who have had abortions or who are contemplating having an abortion.
Pastors are mandatory reporters, so anything that falls under that statute is exempt from confidentiality.
So, let’s say a woman comes into a pastor’s office and she’s grieving over recently having an abortion. She doesn’t know if God will forgive her, and she’s seeking counsel on how to move forward in her faith. In this scenario, instead of ministering to her, the pastor would have to notify the authorities and report the woman as a criminal. If a pastor chooses their calling over the legal mandate, they could face civil or criminal penalties.
If that’s not government overreach into the role of a church, I don’t know what is.
Likewise, health care workers are mandatory reporters.
So, let’s say a woman walks into a faith-based pregnancy care center, an act that by its very nature indicates she is open to keeping her baby or discussing adoption. During her visit, she tells a nurse she has seriously consulted someone about having an abortion. By law, in this scenario, the nurse might have to report that.
As a consequence, it would be easy to see how illegal, and unsafe, abortions would rise as faith-based pregnancy care centers shutter and churches become less effective as a refuge.
So a vote for someone other than Trump looks pretty “pro-life” by comparison.
When the fate of the Constitution is on the ballot, nothing else should matter. A vote for the so called “pro-life” candidate could tremendously jeopardize the legitimate faith community’s ability to function – not to mention upend everyone else’s basic civil rights. A win for Vice-President Harris, even if she is pro-choice will uphold the Constitution and work within the strictures of our institutions.
In short, Vice-President Harris keeps Christians in the ballgame to minister to the poor, needy and heavy-laden without fear of government interference, not riding the bench as so many in America continue to suffer. ~OC
Grace and Forgiveness
Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I come to realize more and more every day my only hope is in the beautiful free grace and forgiveness of God. So as I continue to run this race, I will do my best to live a life full of grace and forgiveness.
I pray your day is filled with amazing moments and God’s blessings. ~OC
Glass Houses
Today’s a new day!
Today we all live in glass houses
So we should all lay down our stones
And stop judging
In a world full of social media, our lives are on full display
Our thoughts, opinions, likes and dislikes are open for the world to see
We live with a digital footprint in our glass houses
Our lives become targets of the same things we judge, criticize, tear down or praise
Our voices lead us to either reason or hypocrisy when we click on those keys, when we leave a comment or choose to heart that image
We need not to be so quick to pick up that stone right after stepping foot outside our beautifully constructed glass home
Be mindful…
Be careful…
Be thoughtful…
Be loving…
Be respectful…
Be kind..
Be forgiving…
Be slow to repudiate what we see in others…
Because we see clearly what’s going on in your home… it’s made out of glass. ~OC
Decency and Character
Today’s a new day! Good morning family, friends and anyone else who decides to read this blog post. This morning I want to discuss two words…Decency and Character. Both mean something to me.
During my career, I had the honor of interviewing many people for positions with the different organizations I worked for. Of course, I always looked at the applicants resume and qualifications for the open job position. But during the interview I looked for someone with character and decency. Not always the easiest thing to do in a short period of time, but I wanted to hire someone who would be a great worker, but more importantly I wanted to hire someone that would bring a positive impact to the team. A person with character and decency.
I believed then and I still believe decency and character matter. When we hire someone don’t we hope they will be a decent person? Someone we can trust. A person of high character.
Decency and Character matter to me as a human being and as a Christian.
I believe decency and character matters to you. We take note of the person who pays their debts. We appreciate the physician who takes time to listen. We appreciate the teacher who takes time for the struggling student, when the employee refuses to gossip about their co-worker, when the losing team congratulates the winning team, we can characterize their behavior with two words… Decency and Character.
We appreciate decency and character. We applaud those who carry themselves with decency and character. Parents teach their children the importance of decency and character. We seek to develop both. Decency and Character matter, right?
Then why isn’t decency and character a factor in the presidential race?
A former President, who is running again for the highest office in the land would not pass my decency or character interview. I would send him packing.
I do not personally know Donald Trump, but shutter at his antics. He ridiculed a war hero and has continuously mocked those in the military. He constantly makes fun of people and loves to pass out nasty nicknames. He has called his political opponents stupid and losers. He has shared a political opponent should have nine guns pointed at her. He has proudly shared these comments online and at his rallies.
Such insensitivities wouldn’t even be acceptable in a middle school student body election. But for the Oval Office? And to do so while brandishing a Bible and boasting of his Christian faith? I’m bewildered, both by his behavior and the public’s support of it.
I believe the explanation for his success is this: he has tapped into the anger of many American people. As one man interviewed stated, “We are voting with our middle finger.” Sounds more like a comment for a middle school fight than a presidential election. We can look back at Cain and Abel and see how anger has brought out the worst in people.
I continue to pray for the return of decency and character to the United States. I pray the American people will vote against hate on Tuesday November 5th. I pray the majority of Americans will remember the key role of the president is to be the face of America. When he/she speaks, he/she speaks for us. Whether we agree or disagree with the policies of the president, we hope that they behave in a way that is consistent with the status of the office of the President.
As far as I can remember, I never regretted turning away a applicant who did not show character or decency. The people I chose to hire were not perfect, but they were decent people. That was all I could ask.
It seems that we should ask the same on November 5th. ~OC
Joy Filled Life
Today’s a new day! I think most people want to live a positive, joy filled life. I know I do. Here are four things I believe can help us achieve that goal.
*Fill our hearts and minds with positive thoughts. Let’s refuse to allow our hearts and minds to be filled with negativity.
*Fill our speech with positive words. Let’s guard what comes out of our mouths and what we share on social media.
*Fill our lives with positive places and situations. Where are you spending your time?
*Fill our lives with positive, joy filled people. Remember, we get to choose who we allow into our lives.
I hope you will spend some time reflecting on these four points today. I pray your day is filled with amazing moments and God’s blessings. ~OC
Character Should Still Matter
Today’s a new day! My name is Todd Shoemaker. I speak as a Christian, husband, son, friend, missionary, abolitionist, author and a broken person who needs God on a daily basis. Probably on an hourly basis.
I do not believe that pastors and churches should endorse political candidates or political parties. I do not believe “voter guides” or any other kind of party-politics should be inside a place of worship. I believe people should be able to walk into a place of worship and feel comfortable, regardless of their political beliefs. Jesus is not a Democrat, Republican or Independent.
I believe Jesus is Lord. The passing of power from one political leader to another does not change that. So why should I be anxious about such things? Second, no political party or politician has ever fully represented my Christian beliefs.
But there is an issue I have decided I need to say something about. And that issue is former President Donald Trump. I oppose his election as President. I believe his election would be dangerous to our country, the world and to the Church.
I do not believe that Mr. Trump has the best interest of our country in mind. Rather, I believe he has shown concern only for himself and his personal advancement. His focus on himself as a “winner” and others as “losers,” his obsession with polls, his demagoguery (“I could kill someone and people would still support me”), and more lead me to this conclusion.
The former president is endlessly treating the election has a reality show. But it’s not. This is real life, with real consequences. And America, the world and the Church have seen this movie before. I do not believe we need to live through a sequel.
I believe that Mr. Trump holds and proclaims racist, sexist, and violent attitudes that are in direct opposition to the Christian message, and to the good of our nation and world. Things he has said about women and minorities (in specific and in general), his mockery of the office of the Presidency, his foul and abusive language directed at opponents, his call for the military to arrest what he calls “Enemies Within America” and more—all of these lead me to this conclusion.
I believe that Mr. Trump has continuously taking the Name of the Lord in vain. He has misused the Faith by claiming to be “a great Christian” while his words and actions—not seeking forgiveness from God and his cynical pandering to evangelicals.
I believe that Mr. Trump has lowered the level of political discourse to that of a school yard bully. I believe that if he succeeds in securing a second term his level of vitriol and obscenity will become stronger than it already is. There will be no guardrails to protect us this time around.
I also happen to disagree with Mr. Trump on several issues, but that isn’t the point. I disagree with all the candidates on certain issues. My opposition to the former president is not about his political party or his political beliefs; this is about his character. This is about democracy and the future of the United States of America.
I believe character should matters to the nation, world and the Church. In the past Presidents have had limited power in domestic issues; they have had to deal with the congress and the courts. But if Mr. Trump wins a second term that may not be the case. I believe he would try and use the Justice Department and the military for his own selfish agenda.
If Mr. Trump is elected he will have the power to separate us from our allies and strengthen our foes. All of this he could do in the name of Christ, a Name he pulls out whenever it suits him. I have no reason to believe he will show anything like godly restraint. He will once again become face of America, and the face of Christianity, to billions of people around the world. That didn’t go well the first time around.
So on November 5th, I will be voting against Mr. Trump. This is my choice, and I am not telling anyone else what to do. Everyone is free to make their own decision, and follow their conscience.
Prayer is the most powerful tool I have, and I’ll be doing that too. I pray for Mr. Trump, Vice-President Harris and all of the candidates running for office.
I believe Jesus is Lord. He will continue to reign no matter what. But at the same time, evil triumphs when good people remain silent. I trust in the Lord, and I must speak out. I must vote. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 