Tag: Forgiveness

Dangerous Temptation

Today’s a new day!

There is a dangerous temptation in the modern Church to preach against only the sins we personally dislike while remaining silent about the sins we tolerate, excuse, or even benefit from. Over the years, I’ve noticed that when some preachers confront the sins of American culture, the focus is often narrowed almost entirely to sexual morality, transgender debates, or Islam. While Scripture certainly calls believers to holiness and truth in every area of life, the Bible’s prophetic voice speaks just as forcefully against corporate greed, political corruption, racism, systemic injustice, slander, deception, pride, exploitation, and the neglect of the poor.

The Word of God does not allow us to selectively condemn sin based on political convenience or cultural comfort. The prophets confronted corrupt leaders who oppressed the vulnerable. Jesus rebuked religious hypocrisy and exposed systems that devoured widows while pretending to honor God. The apostles warned against greed, favoritism, division, and lovelessness just as seriously as they warned against sexual immorality.

Faithfulness to Christ means proclaiming the whole counsel of God — even when it confronts our own tribe, ideology, assumptions, or lifestyle.  

Too often, Christians can become passionate about the sins “out there” while ignoring the idols hidden within our own hearts. We may denounce immorality while harboring bitterness. We may speak loudly about truth while spreading slander or conspiracy. We may defend “Christian values” while neglecting the poor, the immigrant, the orphan, or the widow. Yet Scripture consistently reminds us that God sees all sin clearly and calls His people to repentance, humility, mercy, and holiness.

The apostle Paul paints a sobering picture of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21. The list includes sexual immorality, yes — but it also includes hatred, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, envy, and drunkenness. Likewise, Colossians 3:5-9 confronts not only sexual sin, but greed, anger, malice, slander, and lying. In 1 Corinthians6:9-11, Paul reminds believers that many of us were once trapped in various forms of sin, “but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

That is the hope of the Gospel.

The answer is not pretending some sins matter less than others. Nor is it weaponizing morality against people we fear or dislike. The answer is repentance at the foot of the Cross. The ground is level there. Every one of us stands in desperate need of grace.

God’s grace is greater than all our various sins.

Romans 13:14 tells us to “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” The call of Christianity is not culture war obsession; it is Christlikeness. It is allowing the Holy Spirit to expose every corner of our hearts — not just the sins that are easiest to preach about.

The Church must recover a prophetic voice that is not controlled by political parties, media outrage, or cultural tribalism. We are called to speak truth with courage and love, whether that truth confronts personal immorality, greed in the marketplace, racism in society, corruption in government, or pride within the Church itself.

Biblical Christianity does not belong to the “left” or the “right.” It belongs to Jesus.

And when we truly follow Jesus, He will challenge every idol we try to protect. ~OC

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A Country Divided

Today’s a new day! I debated on whether to share the following or not. But after praying about it, I decided it was time to share the newest writing. Well, new for you, but I have been holding on to it for some time. 

As I have watched the news, scrolled social media, and had conversations with family and friends, I have been heartbroken. The division, the cruelty, the “us versus them” mentality… it literally makes me sick to my stomach. I have watched the name-calling. I have watched politics turn human beings into teams, tribes, targets, and enemies. 

People ask me all the time if I’m a Democrat or a Republican. My answer is simple: I vote for whoever I believe will do the least harm in that moment. That’s it. Politics has taken on a level of hatred I want no part of. 

A house divided cannot stand. 

 And I am afraid this country is tearing itself apart piece by piece. 

The last time I remember seeing this country truly united in my lifetime was when those towers fell on September 11th. For a brief moment, we were not White, Black, Democrat, Republican, Rich, Poor, Blue State, Red State Left or Right. 

We were simply Americans. 

We cried together. We prayed together. We held each other up. And as tragic as that moment was, the unity that followed was a beautiful thing to witness. 

I miss that. 

Now everybody wants to be right, but not enough people want to be righteous. 

My health issues have taken a lot from me over the years. But at the same time, it’s allowed me to see life with a whole new perspective. So I do not share to gain anything. I am not afraid of backlash. I’ve got nothing left to lose except my place in heaven, and I refuse to give that up. 

I don’t agree with sin — any sin — but I will always love the person. 

That’s what Jesus did. 

When the woman caught in adultery was thrown at His feet, the crowd wanted to stone her. They wanted punishment. They wanted to feel righteous by destroying someone else. 

But Jesus didn’t join the mob. 

He protected her dignity first. 

Then He said, “Go and sin no more.” 

He corrected the sin without crushing the soul. 

That’s the example I try to follow. 

And look at how Jesus treated immigrants and strangers. 

He said, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”  

He praised the Good Samaritan — a foreigner — as the true neighbor. 

He never taught us to fear people crossing borders. 

But today, we treat immigrants in ways we wouldn’t treat our dogs. 

We act like every one of them is a criminal. 

We forget they’re human beings — fathers, mothers, grandparents, children — many running from danger, hoping for a chance to do things the right way. 

Not all of them are criminals. 

Not all of them are threats. 

Every one of them deserves dignity and a chance to become a citizen the right way. 

This is who I try to be: 

Someone who chooses decency even when it costs something. 

Someone who refuses to join the outrage machine. 

Someone who speaks up for people being dehumanized — whether they’re immigrants, LGBTQ, disabled, poor, or simply different. 

I do not have a platform. 

I do not have a microphone. 

I have a body that doesn’t work very well anymore. 

But I still have eyes. 

I still have a conscience. 

And I still have a responsibility to speak the truth as I see it in the scriptures.

When God finally calls me home, I want to leave it knowing I stood on the side of compassion — not cruelty. On the side of humanity — not division. On the side of Jesus — not the crowd with the stones in their hands. ~OC

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I Cried Out

There are moments in the life of a believer when words fail, when sermons feel too small, and when the only honest response left is tears. Recently, I found myself bowed low on my knees before God, overwhelmed by a grief so deep it felt impossible to fully explain. It was not grief over politics, culture, or the chaos of the world alone. It was grief over the condition of the global Church, especially here in America.

As I prayed, tears streamed down my face. Not tears of hopelessness, but tears of burden. Tears born from the realization that we are living in a critical hour, yet so many believers seem spiritually asleep.

The Church in America has more platforms, more buildings, more resources, and more influence than many generations before us ever dreamed of. Yet somehow, in the middle of abundance, we have often lost our hunger for the presence of God. We have mastered performance while neglecting prayer. We have learned how to build crowds while forgetting how to carry the cross. We have polished the image of Christianity while starving for genuine holiness.

And still, God is calling.

Even now, Heaven is extending mercy.

Even now, the Spirit of God is crying out to awaken His people.

I believe we are standing at a crossroads. One path leads toward comfort, compromise, and spiritual numbness. The other leads toward repentance, purification, surrender, and revival. The frightening reality is that many do not realize the urgency of the moment we are living in. Time is moving quickly. Eternity is drawing near. The hour is late.

The world does not need another watered-down gospel designed to entertain people while leaving them unchanged. The world needs a Church burning with holiness, truth, compassion, humility, and power. It needs believers who are not ashamed of Jesus. It needs disciples willing to pray when nobody is watching, obey when it is unpopular, and love when it costs something.

God is not looking for perfect people. He is looking for surrendered people.

Throughout Scripture, awakening always began the same way: with brokenness. Before revival came repentance. Before restoration came humility. Before God moved publicly, His people first wept privately.

Perhaps that is why the burden feels so heavy right now.

Because deep down, many believers sense that we cannot continue playing games with God. We cannot keep treating the holy things of Heaven casually. We cannot keep building our own kingdoms while neglecting His. We cannot keep blending in with a dying world while claiming to carry the light of Christ.

Jesus did not call us to cultural Christianity. He called us to die to ourselves and follow Him fully.

This is the hour for the Church to return to prayer.

Return to holiness.

Return to the Word of God.

Return to compassion.

Return to reverence.

Return to the secret place.

Return to our first love.

I believe God is shaking everything that can be shaken, not to destroy His people, but to awaken them. Some trust in personalities, platforms, politics, or programs, but none of those things can save us. Our hope has never been in human strength. Our hope is and always will be Jesus Christ.

The answer for America is not found in louder opinions. The answer is repentance and revival. 

The answer is the Church becoming the Church again.

So today, I continue to pray through tears:

“Lord, awaken us again. Purify Your Bride. Burn away every distraction, every idol, every compromise, and every counterfeit thing living inside of us. Teach us to fear You again. Teach us to love what You love. Refocus our hearts on eternity. Let revival begin in us first.”

May we not waste this hour.

May we not sleep through this moment.

May we not stand before God one day realizing we were too distracted by temporary things to pursue what mattered most.

Time is running out.

But the mercy of God is still calling His people home. ~OC

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Alive, Awake, Alert

Today’s a new day!

As I continue walking this journey, I do so alive, awake, alert, and enthusiastic for Jesus. Life has a way of trying to wear us down. There are days filled with uncertainty, storms that seem relentless, and moments when exhaustion tries to silence our praise. Yet through it all, Christ continues to breathe fresh life into my spirit. He reminds me that faith was never meant to be passive or lifeless. Following Jesus is an active, living relationship that transforms the way we walk, speak, love, and endure.

To be alive in Christ means my heart still burns with purpose. To be awake means I refuse to sleep through the calling God has placed on my life. To be alert means I recognize that every conversation, every trial, and every blessing is an opportunity to reflect His light. And to be enthusiastic for Jesus means I will never apologize for celebrating the One who saved my soul, carried me through valleys, and never once abandoned me in my darkest hours.

This journey is not always easy, but it is always worth it. Jesus never promised a life free of hardship, but He did promise His presence. Even on difficult days, there is joy because Christ is still King. There is hope because the tomb is still empty. There is peace because God is still on the throne. The enemy may try to discourage believers, but discouragement does not define us. Our identity is found in Jesus Christ alone.

So I will continue forward with passion and expectancy. I will continue loving people, speaking truth, extending grace, and pointing others toward the Savior. I want my life to reflect a heart that is fully surrendered and fully alive in Him. This world desperately needs believers who are awake to the movement of God and enthusiastic about sharing the Gospel without fear or hesitation.

Today, I choose joy. I choose faith. I choose worship. And above all else, I choose Jesus. ~OC

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Cereal And The Gospel

Today’s a new day! 

In many ways, cereal can remind us of the Gospel. On the surface, a bowl of cereal may seem simple and ordinary, something many people rush through every morning without much thought. Yet when you pour the milk, every piece in the bowl is covered equally. The Gospel works the same way. God’s grace does not only cover the wealthy, the famous, or the “perfect” people. The love of Jesus reaches every person willing to receive Him. Some cereals are sweet, some plain, some colorful, and some broken into crumbs at the bottom of the box, but they all belong in the bowl. In the same way, the church is filled with different people from different walks of life, yet we are all invited to the same table of grace through Christ. The Gospel reminds us that no one is too broken, too small, or too far gone for the love of God.

Cereal also teaches us something about spiritual hunger. No matter how good cereal looks sitting in the box, it cannot nourish anyone until it is opened and received. The Bible says that Jesus is the Bread of Life, and just hearing about Him is not enough; we must personally receive Him into our hearts. Many people today are spiritually starving while trying to fill their lives with temporary things that never satisfy. Just as breakfast gives strength for the day ahead, spending time with God through prayer, worship, and Scripture strengthens our spirit for life’s battles. And sometimes, like the prize hidden in old cereal boxes, God places unexpected blessings inside seasons we thought were ordinary. The Gospel is not complicated religion; it is the daily reminder that Jesus meets us where we are, fills what is empty, and gives us exactly what our souls need. ~OC

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Not In The Storm

Today’s a new day!

There comes a moment in life when you realize the journey is not about pretending to be strong every second of every day. It is about learning how to walk honestly with God through both the beautiful moments and the painful ones. As I continue walking this crazy beautiful health journey, I am jumping into the deep end of life.  I am choosing to live fully, love deeply, and embrace every moment God places in front of me. I am taking trips with my bride, cherishing the laughter, the quiet moments, and the memories we are building together. I am having deep and meaningful conversations about real life, real struggles, real faith, and real hope. No sugar coating. No masks. Just honesty wrapped in grace.

Some days are incredibly good. Some days feel light, hopeful, and full of strength. Then there are days that are really tough. Days where the storm feels loud and exhausting. But through every high and every low, I refuse to let the storm become my identity. My diagnosis is not my identity. My struggles are not my identity. My difficult moments are not my identity. My identity is found completely in Christ, and that is the only identity that truly matters.

The world often tries to define people by what they are going through.   God defines us by who we belong to. We belong to Him. We are loved by Him. We are redeemed by Him. We are sustained by Him. Storms may shape parts of our story, but they do not get to name us. Jesus does.

What this journey has taught me more than anything is this: life is too precious to spend buried under fear, hesitation, or regret. Too many people are waiting for “someday” to start living. Someday they will take the dream trip. Someday they will say “I love you.” Someday they will forgive. Someday they will have the hard but healing conversation. Someday they will step out in faith and pursue what God placed in their heart. But someday is never promised.

So my encouragement to everyone reading this is simple: live life to the fullest. Trust God enough to truly live. Take the trip. Make the phone call. Sit down and have the real conversation. Laugh loudly. Love deeply. Pray boldly. Stop allowing fear to keep you trapped in a life of “I wish I would have.” The storm may still rage around you, but there is a way to live beyond the storm.

Living beyond the storm does not mean pretending the storm is not real. It means refusing to let the storm steal your joy, your purpose, your faith, or your ability to truly live. It means understanding that even in the middle of pain, God is still writing beautiful chapters. It means choosing to see every breath as a gift and every day as an opportunity to love God and love people well.

At the end of our lives, most people will not regret loving too much, believing too much, or trusting God too deeply. They will regret the moments fear kept them from fully living. So live courageously. Live gratefully. Live authentically. And no matter what storm comes your way, never forget who you are.

Your identity is not in the storm.

Your identity is in Christ. ~OC

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Unshaken By Time (A Poem)

In the beginning before the mountains rose,
Before oceans learned the rhythm of the tides,
Before stars were hung like lanterns in eternity,
There was God—
Holy, eternal, and overflowing with love.

Not a distant love made of empty words,
Not a fragile love that fades with failure,
But a roaring river of mercy
That pours through the cracks of broken humanity.

His love walked with Adam in the garden breeze,
Even after rebellion stained innocent hands.
His compassion covered shame with grace,
While heaven itself mourned the fall of man.

Through deserts and wandering generations,
God carried His people like fire in the night.
When kingdoms collapsed beneath pride and violence,

His hope still thundered through the prophets:
“Return to Me, and you shall live.”

Hope—
Not the weak wish of uncertain hearts,
But the blazing promise of heaven’s King.
Hope that survives prison chains,
Hope that sings inside lion’s dens,
Hope that rises from ashes
Like dawn breaking over ruined cities.

Then came Christ,
The Word wrapped in flesh and humility.
He touched lepers without fear,
Sat beside sinners without disgust,
And spoke forgiveness
Into lives the world had thrown away.

At the cross,
Grace stretched out wounded hands.
The sky grew dark,
The earth trembled,
And mercy bled for mankind.

Every hammer strike cried out love.
Every drop of blood declared redemption.
Every breath He gave away
Opened heaven’s gates for the lost.

And when they placed Him in the grave,
Hell believed the story was over.
But on the third day,
Hope burst forth like lightning from eternity.
Death shattered.
The stone rolled away.
And Christ arose victorious forevermore.

Now forgiveness flows freely
To the addict and the orphan,
To the weary and forgotten,
To the proud who finally kneel,
To every soul crying out in the dark for rescue.

No sin is stronger than His grace.
No failure deeper than His compassion.
No night so endless
That God’s love cannot bring the morning.

So let the nations sing.
Let the weary lift their eyes.
Let broken hearts remember
That heaven has not abandoned them.

For the God who formed galaxies
Still bends low to hear a whispered prayer.
The Savior who conquered the grave
Still calls humanity by name.

And His love—
Unshaken by time,
Undefeated by evil,
Unmeasured by human understanding—
Will reign forever and ever.

Amen.

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Before We Speak

Today’s a new day! 

In a world overflowing with criticism, outrage, and division, followers of Jesus are called to respond differently. It is easy to point out someone’s failures. It is easy to condemn, shame, or speak harshly when people fall short. But Christ never called His people to become professional judges of broken humanity. He called us to become carriers of grace, truth, and prayer. Before we rush to criticize someone’s life, we should first fall to our knees and pray for their heart. Before we speak words of condemnation, we should ask God to move in their life the same way He once moved in ours.

Every person you see fighting battles, making mistakes, or wandering far from God is still someone deeply loved by the Creator. Many people are carrying wounds nobody knows about. Some are drowning in fear, addiction, loneliness, bitterness, or shame. They do not need believers throwing stones from a distance; they need people willing to intercede for them with compassion. Jesus showed us what mercy looks like. Even while hanging on the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” If the Son of God responded to hatred with prayer and forgiveness, how much more should we?

Pray more than you judge. Pray more than you condemn. Pray for your family members who seem far from God. Pray for those who hurt you. Pray for those trapped in sin. Pray for those who mock your faith. Prayer has the power to soften hardened hearts, restore broken lives, and bring people into an encounter with Jesus that no argument ever could. Condemnation pushes people further into darkness, but prayer invites the light of God into impossible situations.

The Church shines brightest when it reflects the heart of Christ. Truth matters, but truth without love becomes noise. We are called to stand for righteousness while still extending mercy to people who desperately need hope. None of us were saved because we were perfect; we were saved because Jesus loved us in the middle of our brokenness. May we become believers known not for harsh judgment, but for powerful prayers, compassionate hearts, and a relentless desire to see people redeemed by the grace of God. ~OC

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Bruised Not Defeated

Today’s a new day!

There were moments when the storms of life tried to break you. The winds of hardship blew against your heart, the rain of disappointment poured endlessly, and the waves of exhaustion threatened to pull you under. People mocked your faith, questioned your devotion to Jesus, and treated your love for God like it was foolishness. Some walked away from you because of your obedience to Christ. Others misunderstood your journey entirely. Yet through every tear, every sleepless night, every spiritual battle, and every lonely season, God kept you standing. You may be bruised, but you are not broken. You may have scars, but those scars testify that the Lord has carried you through battles that should have destroyed you.

The enemy thought the warfare would silence your praise, but instead it deepened your worship. Every attack became another reason to lean closer to Jesus. Every trial became another testimony of His faithfulness. You kept praying when your heart was tired. You kept serving when nobody noticed. You kept praising the King of kings even when life made no sense. That is not weakness — that is spiritual endurance forged in the fire of God’s presence. The world may see an ordinary believer, but heaven sees a warrior who refused to quit.

Nothing can defeat a child of God who keeps their eyes fixed on Jesus. The storms may rage, but they cannot overthrow the foundation built on Christ. Spiritual warfare may intensify, but the power of God is greater than every attack of darkness. The same Savior who conquered death lives inside of you. Because of Him, you are not fighting for victory — you are fighting from victory. The cross already settled the outcome. The tomb is still empty, the Holy Spirit is still moving, and the King still reigns.

So stand tall in your faith. Keep lifting holy hands in worship. Keep speaking the name of Jesus with boldness. Your survival is proof of God’s sustaining grace. Your praise in the middle of pain is a weapon the enemy cannot understand. 

Through every battle, every heartbreak, and every storm, one truth remains unshaken: you are still standing, still serving, still praising, and still held securely in the hands of the King of kings. ~OC

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On This National Day Of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer is more than a date on a calendar. It is a reminder that prayer is not supposed to be our last resort, but our first response. Across churches, homes, schools, hospitals, and communities, believers gather to pray for healing, wisdom, revival, peace, and direction. Yet the true challenge for the Christian community is not simply whether we pray publicly for one day, but whether we genuinely believe that God still hears and answers prayer every single day. Scripture reminds us in James 5:16 that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Those are not symbolic words. They are a promise from God Himself. Too often Christians speak about prayer while secretly battling doubt in their hearts, praying out of routine instead of expectation. But throughout the Bible, prayer moved mountains, opened prison doors, healed the sick, and changed entire nations because people truly believed God was listening.

Living out His Scriptures means more than quoting verses on social media or hearing sermons on Sunday mornings. It means becoming people who actually trust God enough to walk in obedience after we pray. When we pray for peace, we must become peacemakers. When we pray for revival, we must repent and pursue holiness ourselves. When we pray for the hurting, we must be willing to love, serve, and encourage them. Jesus never called believers to have a shallow faith built only on words. He called us to a living faith that produces action, compassion, courage, and transformation. In Mark 11:24, Jesus said, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” The Christian community must return to praying with faith, expectation, and surrender, knowing that God is still moving even when answers do not arrive on our timeline.

This National Day of Prayer can become more than a tradition if believers truly unite with humble hearts before God. Imagine what could happen if Christians stopped praying powerless prayers filled with fear and started praying bold prayers filled with faith. Imagine churches becoming known not for division or performance, but for love, healing, truth, and the presence of God. The world does not need Christians who only talk about Scripture; it needs believers who live it out daily. Prayer changes things, but prayer also changes us. When we seek God sincerely, He shapes our hearts to reflect His heart. And perhaps that is where revival truly begins — not merely in crowded gatherings, but in believers who genuinely trust God, obey His Word, and live as evidence that Jesus Christ is alive and still working today. ~OC

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