Tag: Freedom

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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That Tuesday in September

Today’s a new day! Hard to believe today, September 11th is the 24th anniversary of that tragic day back in 2001.

Tuesday September 11, 2001, was a loss felt worldwide. Today, we remember those who lost their lives on that dark day, the brave first responders who put their lives on the line and honor the sacrifices made to protect our freedom.  

As I reflect back on that Tuesday in 2001, I remember how our communities came together united as one. We put aside our divisions and united in caring for one another, supporting one another, and projecting hope. I believe this describes compassion. Those efforts resonate with me today and each time I step out of my front door into the daily complexities surrounding us all. Each interaction an opportunity to inject some love and compassion into the lives and communities around us.

Let us take the time today to remember those who lost their lives on 9/11, reflect on the bravery of the first responders and strangers in those moments, and honor those who volunteered to serve our country in response to that tragic Tuesday. May we never forget. ~OC

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2AM Thoughts

Today’s a new day! It’s 2am on this Tuesday morning. I have been unable to fall asleep. It’s just one of those crazy nights with Parkinson’s and Dementia. So I have walked around the house more times than I can remember. I have watched several YouTube videos to pass the time. Finally, I have decided to share my experience and thoughts with you. Writing is still something my brain allows me to do on occasion. Lately, God has filled my brain with many thoughts. I feel an urgency to write as much as possible before I can no longer do that. Tonight, my brain is extra active. That’s not always a good thing.

I have good days and bad days as I navigate through the multiple health issues that are slowly robbing me of so much. On a bad day, I cannot do anything at all. My energy levels are low and I feel fatigued. The only way I can describe it is that I feel like I have run a hundred marathons in a very short amount of time. I feel totally drained.

But I have lots of coping strategies. I choose to use those days to pray a lot more. I choose to reach out to friends even though I know, I will not hear back from the majority of them.

I think it’s important to have something that gives you a sense of purpose in life. I try to share my journey to help encourage others walking through their own life struggles. If I can help just one other person, that’s enough for me.

When most people think about neurological issues, especially dementia they think it’s all about memory loss. But I have cognitive issues also- trying to figure things out can be difficult and frustrating. Also too many voices at one time can be overwhelming. I get frustrated and anxious if I am struggling to follow the conversation. I also deal with a lot of rigidity and pain, which creates so many issues.

Over the years I have lost many friends as I have walked through this crazy beautiful health journey. I believe a lot of people have a difficult time talking to and relating to me. But I am still me. My story has just changed a little. A lot of times when Laura and I are around other people, they will address questions to her, not me. My prayer is that people would see the person, not the disease.

But I am blessed that a few friends have decided to stick around and not jump ship. I hold those friendships very close to my heart.

I choose to embrace each moment of life. I try to share my love and thoughts now. Not waiting for the perfect moment. Because the perfect moment is today. Laura and I do not wait for the perfect moment to buy that gift or take that trip. Now is the perfect time. Now is the perfect time to take care of future arrangements. Which we have done. I did not want Laura dealing with all of that on her own.

It also means we’ve had really indepth chats about what quality of life really looks like. Everyone has to figure that out for themselves and their loved ones.

Life looks different every day. What I could do yesterday, might be more difficult to accomplish today. I continue to live my life with my cup overflowing. I try not to beat myself up too much when I cannot do something anymore. Because there are still many things I can do. So today, I choose to embrace the now and what I can accomplish today. ~OC

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Songwriters

Good Morning! Well, I have been blessed to write two books, have our story turned into a documentary and have a spoken word I wrote end up on an album. All praise and glory to God. The past several years, I have been writing songs. At this time I use the word “songs” very loosely. But has my health continues to decline, I thought now would be a good time to connect with some songwriters and see if what I have written is any good or needs a lot of work. So if you’re a songwriter or know a songwriter, please feel free to connect with me. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a wonderful and blessed day. ~OC

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Guiding Light

Today’s a new day!

Our hope in Jesus, a beacon of light in our darkest moments,

With every step, with every misstep

He lifts us up, standing tall

In His love, we find our way

Through trials and tribulations each day

With faith as our guiding light

We navigate through life’s struggles

Jesus, is our Savior, and friend

Our hope in Him will never end

May His presence be our guiding light

Leading us step by step. ~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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Don’t Back Down

Stand up for what’s right, don’t be swayed

By the voices that try to make you stray

Be brave, be strong, and hold your ground

Fight for justice, let truth be found

Raise your voice, let it be heard

Speak out against injustice, undeterred

Don’t let fear silence you, don’t back down

Stand firm, wear your heart in this town

Be a beacon of hope during the dark times

Shine your light, let it guide the way

For a brighter tomorrow, a better day

Stand up for what’s right, come what may

Your voice matters, your actions too

Make a difference, see it through

Stand up for what’s right, be bold

Create a world where love never grows old. ~OC

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God’s Hope

Good morning! Over the years, I have enjoyed writing what I will loosely call poetry. So I have decided to share some of my “poetry” with you. Be kind.

A light in the darkness, a beacon so bright

God’s hope shines upon us, a guiding light

In times of uncertainty, it leads the way

A promise for tomorrow, of a brighter day

With faith as our anchor, we hold tight

Through life’s storms and trials, we allow God to navigate the night

God’s hope sustains us, a constant friend

A love that’s unwavering, till the very end

May God’s hope inspire you, uplift your soul

A reminder of love, that makes us whole

In His presence, we find our peace

A hope that’s eternal, a love that never ends. ~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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Potholes in Life

Today’s a new day! Last night after my doctor’s appointment, Laura and I drove around town a bit. There is so much construction going on around us. Also a lot of potholes and roadblocks to navigate around. At times, I felt like I was on some type of ride at the fair.

On our journey through life, we also face many bumps and potholes along the way. There are financial, relational, and medical trials that will come into our lives. What we do when we come to a bump in the road is usually slow down or come to a complete stop in order to better assess the situation before moving forward. We must also keep a certain balance ourselves, so as not to falter or fall down. There are times when Christian friends will come alongside us and help us to navigate these bumps in our lives. At times, if we become stalled for a long time, they might gently urge us and encourage us to move on and continue on the road of life.

“Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status.” ~Romans 15:1

As we were driving around town, it was only Laura and I paying close attention to the road construction around us, that saved us from hitting one pothole after another. It also helped that we knew some of the potholes were coming, so we were able to avoid them. Knowing the road allowed us the grace to prepare ourselves for the bumpy ride.

But what about the times when we don’t know what lies ahead of us on this journey called life or what’s around the next corner? In those times, we need to turn directly to Jesus. He knows the road ahead, and we can always depend on Him to guide us safely through those bumps in the journey.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” ~Deuteronomy 31:8

Prayer for the Day: Dear God, help us to turn to You first when we face the bumps and potholes in our journey. We know that You are more than capable of helping meet our needs. Dear God, help our unbelief in times of trouble. Make us a people able to stand strong as we or a loved one walks through the bumpy moments in life. We pray all of this in your powerful and matchless name dear Jesus. Amen.

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