Some nights, I wanna disappear into the night like a flying star. Maybe I can be like Marty McFly and find a time machine to take me back in time. Maybe I will travel to the year when I was 12. That’s when I remember my body facing its first medical trial. When life changed for awhile. Of course I didn’t know then that at 35, my life would turn into one crazy beautiful health journey. But a miracle would change that at 53. Then a pandemic would hit that changed everything at 55. I would tell that 12 year old, he’s going to take a lot of hits along the way. His life is going to become a medical odyssey. A journey around the world for doctors to see how this dead man walking keeps on overcoming. They whisper to themselves this man just refuses to die. I would share with that 12 year boy, it’s not by his strength that he is surviving the crazy waves. No it’s by the powerful love of God that he’s thriving as the waves come raging in. Remember when you were 10 years old and you asked the King of Kings into your heart? That life changing moment did not make life easy, but that single moment filled you with peace and hope. Those would come in handy in the years ahead. You will make mistakes along the journey, but when you look to your left or right the King of Kings will always be standing by your side. When you have questions or need some insight, God will always be there to direct your ways. You see, God is always listening even when you think he’s asleep. Hey, let’s take a break and return to that young man trying to navigate his way. There are some things you’ll do along the way you wish you could erase. But remember, every slip up will make you the man you will become one day. Far from perfect, but still allowing God to mold him like clay. People will build you up along the way, but will be quick to tear you down when you go astray. But don’t let anybody tell you how to write your story. Along the journey you might need to flip the script even if it scares a few people away. We are all products of our lived experiences. At times along the journey you will feel confused and scared. That’s when you stop and lean into the loving arms of the King of Kings. I hope you’re hearing this. I wish I could tell you life is going to be easy, but that would be a shiny bright lie. Yeah, I wrote about that before you should check it out. Life will be full of mistakes. That’s just part of the race. Do not forget about those lived experiences. But life will also be full of decisions you get right. Both are learning experiences. Don’t miss out on the lessons. When the journey gets hard, remember that Mother’s Day back in the day when you said yes to the Lord. You will often look back on that day when facing those crashing waves. Life is not going to be easy. There will be days you feel like throwing it all away, but then God will suddenly stop everything so you can take it all in and be amazed. Don’t miss one of those days. You see, life is going to go quick. One day you will wake up and wonder what happened to all those days. My prayer for that 12 year old boy, is that you will take it all in. The good and the bad. The memories that bring tears and the ones that bring smiles. Enjoy every minute of this amazing ride. ~OC
Waiting
Today’s a new day! Waiting. For most of us, waiting is not one of our favorite things. What do you do when life finds you in a state of waiting? When all you can do is wait. Waiting on test results. Waiting on a relationship to be mended. Waiting for a breakthrough. Waiting for a sign from God that it will not always be like this… waiting can be taxing, discouraging and deflating. Waiting can cause us to question our faith. To question God.
But what if waiting is the season God is using to grow us? That there is purpose behind the waiting. God wants us whole and He wants us free, and He will often take us on a journey of discovery before we get to the fulfillment of what we hope for. God has your back and He wants what is best for you. God is for you and will not forsake you, even in the middle of your biggest storm. Even during the waiting. ~OC
Dear Friend
Dear Friend,
As I scrolled through your social media pages, I sense you are struggling. You seem tired. As I read your post, it appears you are being overwhelmed by the storms of life. I have experienced those moments.
So friend, I want you to know I am here for you. There have been times, I have watched other friends walk through storms from a distance because I was not sure what to say. I made their pain about me. I wish I had just showed up. Just listened.
As I have walked through my own storms, I realize how important it is to have friends walk with you. I am thankful for those who did not jump out of the boat when the seas got rough.
I am done letting fear keep me from staying close. I will not be perfect when I reach out to you. I may not always say the right thing. I am okay with that. The most important thing is, I will always be there for you. No judgment. No quick fixes. Just me standing in the gap.
Friend, you will get through whatever storm you are facing at this moment. It will not be easy. There will be some rough days. You might even feel like giving up. You might lose hope. When you lose hope, I will hope for you. We will get through this journey called life together. We will finish strong. ~OC
Life Moment Lessons
Today’s a new day! As we walk through life we will all face storms. As we walk through the storms of life, we make the choice what lessons we learn. Here are just a few lessons I have learned during my journey.
Life Moment Lesson 1: I could not do life without my faith. As a 10 year old boy, I gave my life and heart to God. There have been some ups and downs along my faith journey, but God has never left me. As with any relationship, I have taken the time to get to know Him better. I have taken the time to listen to God as he has spoken to me. l have seen God move mountains, perform miracles and heal relationships that people said were dead. I have felt the beautiful peace and presence of God in every area of my life.
Life Moment Lesson 2: Do not take any moment or person for granted. Life can change in a single moment. So share grace and forgiveness. Do not hold onto anger or grudges. Let it go.
Life Moment Lesson 3: Family and friends are a beautiful gift. Hug them often. Never miss a chance to say I love you. Treasure the time together. Cherish the laughter and memories. Be present.
Life Moment Lesson 4: Never make life about you. Make life about serving others. Every experience we encounter, has a beautiful God purpose if we only stop and embrace the moment. Stop rushing through life.
Life Moment Lesson 5: God is in every moment. But we must stop to see God’s beautiful presence. It doesn’t matter what storms we are facing. God is always there. If we look closely, we can see God’s fingerprints on everything. Slow down.
Life Moment Lesson 6: Be thankful and grateful in everything. I have learned when my focus is on God and everything He has brought me through, I can only praise Him and say Thank You. Take time to be thankful.
Of course there have been more lessons learned along the journey, but these are the ones God wanted me to share today. I am Blessed. ~OC
Reach Out
Today’s a new day! As we scroll through social media, we see smiling faces, positive/uplifting post and some people with thousands of friends. It’s easy to think life is going so well for them. But when’s the last time you reached out to them? When’s the last time you responded to their text or phone call? Behind all those encouraging post and social media friends could be a lonely person, who is just holding on. Let’s not be deceived by what we see on social media. Pick up the phone and call that friend who has been on your heart. Meet up in person to catch up. That friend or loved one who seems to have everything going for them, could actually be drowning. Reach out. ~OC
A Loving Warning
Today’s a new day! People are not abandoning Jesus. People are abandoning churches that use Jesus to push political agendas, choose tithes and numbers over relationships and choose which sins are acceptable. That is just unacceptable to an unbelieving world. It is also unacceptable to a believing world. The Church needs to not only preach the Gospel, but live out the Gospel in words and action.
Even as I write the words above, I love the Church because Jesus loves the Church. This is not an attack on the Church. No, this is a loving warning to those churches who are more concerned about their own agenda than the truth of the Gospel. This loving warning comes from someone who has spent more than half my life in the church. This is a loving warning from someone who has seen the beautiful and ugliness of the Church. This is a loving warning from someone who desires for everyone to find a beautiful, amazing church home. ~OC
Wake Up!
Jesus put this on my heart.
Wake up Christians! Wake up Churches! It’s time to dusk ourselves off. We have been asleep way too long. It’s time to stomp the ground and invite the Holy Spirit to bathe us in Truth. It’s time for Revival and Spiritual Awakening. It’s time to answer the Holy Spirit’s wake up call!. Let’s go! ~OC
Wake Up
Hello. Here is a little something God put on my heart.
You spend your life running a race not created by God. Cause you live your life in a self created lane you keep running up against hurdles. You keep slipping. Look up and open your eyes, you’ll find a hand reaching down for you.
Wake up grab hold of the hand of God
Wake up and grab the hand of God
You keep running a race that has no purpose. It’s a dead end. It’s a race filled with shiny things, but no substance. No hope. It’s a fantasy. Look up and open your eyes, you’ll find a hand reaching down for you
Wake up grab hold of the hand of God
Wake up and grab the hand of God
Your race is full of money and a big house in the right zip code The world looks at you thinking you’ve got the American Dream. But your life is empty. Full of regrets and broken promises. Void of hope, Void of peace. Oh, if you only had some peace. But peace is not found in the race you chose. Look up and open your eyes you’ll find a hand reaching down for you.
Wake up grab hold of the hand of God
Wake up and grab the hand of God.
The race you run is full of comparisons and false images. Your race is full of lies that leave you empty. Look up and open your eyes, you’ll find a hand reaching down for you.
Wake up grab hold of the hand of God.
Wake up and grab the hand of God
Stop running your own race
Where’s it gotten you? God has a better race for you to run. A race designed just for you. Look up and open your eyes, you’ll find a hand reaching down for you.
Wake up grab hold of the hand of God.
Wake up and grab the hand of God.
(Wake Up Wake Up) ~OC
No Day Is Promised
Good morning. God laid this on my heart. The title is No Day is Promised.
As he wakes up his feet hit the floor, giving his Savior praise for another day. For him another day doesn’t come easy. Every breath is a struggle, but he keeps fighting. He takes one breath at a time and keeps praising his King. He is blessed with another day. Another opportunity for a miracle. No day is promised.
Sometimes when he shuffles down the halls of the hospital, he hears the enemy scream in his ears Dead Man Walking, Dead Man Walking. He refuses to listen to those lies. His body might be weak, but he is not finished fighting. His King has another day for the Man Who Refuses to Die. Another opportunity for a miracle. No day is promised.
Today The Man Who Refused to Die is living out his miracle. His breathing comes easier these days. He no longer is a Dead Man Walking. He keeps praising his King because he knows no day is promised. Today the Dead Man Walking is the Dead Man Running. ~OC
Conversation with Jesus
Me: Hey Jesus
Jesus: Hello son.
Me: So many people hurting.
Jesus: Yes.
Me: I don’t like seeing people suffer.
Jesus: I don’t like seeing people suffer either. That was never the plan, but sadly here we are. A broken and hurting world. Guess what my son?
Me: What Jesus?
Jesus: You see the pain, but I feel the hurt, brokenness and pain of everyone walking on planet earth. My heart aches.
Me: Wow!
Jesus: But my child there is something you can do about helping this broken world. At least your part of it.
Me: What? Me?
Jesus: Yes, you. You were created by me. You have all of me in you. People can see you. They can see the Church. Based on what they see in you and the Church, will reflect how they see me. Unfortunately, that picture is not a pretty one. My people and the Church have made it so hard for the world to see my Love, Hope, Peace and Forgiveness. If the lost world could only experience that in you, other believers and the Church. Are you truly willing to surrender everything in your life and serve me?
Me: Yes, Jesus. Use me Jesus.
Jesus: Thank you my son. I will be with you every step of the way. Keep leaning into me.
The Blessed Overcomer 