Today’s a new day! The beautiful gift of Grace is not freedom to sin; rather, grace is freedom from sin. Jesus did not die for our sins so we could continue to live in them. No, He died for our sins so that we could go and sin no more. Will we always deal with sin in our lives? Absolutely. Does our struggle with sin separate us from the love of Christ? Absolutely not. But our attitude as one truly saved by grace should not be to continue wallowing in the very behavior that Jesus died to deliver us from. Rather, a person redeemed by the love of Jesus will strive to trust in the work He did on the Cross and desire to become more like Him each day. When the Apostle Paul explained salvation by grace, he anticipated the replies of those who would seek to abuse it. That’s why he asked, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2). The Apostle John shared this warning, “No one who abides in [Jesus] keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him” (1 John 3:6). Jesus Himself warned that we “will recognize [people] by their fruits” (Matthew 7:20). As believers in Christ, we must not offer the world a cheap grace that allows us to proclaim devotion to Jesus with our lips while having a love affair with sin on the side. Our daily lives should reflect a real and life changing encounter with Jesus. That is what a broken and unbelieving world is looking to experience. Do our lives reflect the love, forgiveness, hope, grace and freedom of Jesus? The world is watching and wanting to experience that true freedom and grace. ~OC
My Home in Heaven
Today’s a new day! This body and world are just temporary. Life is but a vapor. I will not let the struggles in life become my identity. My God-given purpose in life is to love and serve. Not to hate or judge. My home is in Heaven. I am just passing through on my way home. ~OC
The Potter’s Hand
Today’s a new day! This crazy beautiful health journey has taken me from who I was to the person God created me to be. This is not a path I would have willingly chosen for myself or for Laura and our loved ones. Each day this journey gets a little more painful. My body aches almost as much as my heart. I do not get caught up in whether or not this journey was chosen for me. I will leave that debate for others to figure out. I do know I am being shaped by the Potter’s hand. He continues to dig his hands in and squeezes out all the imperfections…. placing me into the fire to seal his skilled handiwork. All the while I continue to put my faith and hope in my Savior’s loving hands… trusting him with my very life. ~OC
God’s Voice
Today’s a new day! I have been walking this crazy beautiful health journey for over twenty years. Anyone who has endured long term health issues will understand immediately the agony of this path, not only on your own body and life but in the lives of those that love you. But in the middle of all of that, I have learned to recognise the quiet voice of God. To date, God’s voice has not let me down or steered me in the wrong direction. His voice brings peace and comfort and allows me a chance to breathe when the reality of my battle would seek to crush the very air from my lungs.
So I continue to lean into God and make sure His voice is the one voice that doesn’t get ignored. Over the years, I have learned how to weed out the voices that would seek to bring harm, no matter how well intentioned and allow only those voices that bring hope, peace and encouragement. I know there will be some who read this post and call me naive. But you know what? I don’t care.
My journey, my rules. It’s my race and I decide how to run it. And in the center of my race, I choose to run into the unfailing words of God.
I have no idea what this crazy beautiful health journey holds for me, but I know that if I am anchored with deep roots in God’s Word, I will continue running a strong race. As grateful as I am for my medical team and the medications that keep me going, I have never put my hope in them. My hope, my confidence, is in the God of Heaven.
He will never let down. ~OC
Memories Along the Journey
Today’s a new day! As I have traveled this crazy beautiful health journey, I see things differently than I used to. Some life experiences and hopefully a little wisdom. My physical memory can be a bit tricky with the neurological issues and Long Covid issues, but my heart memory is in great condition. While I often forget day to day things, I am constantly remembering things that are far more important.
I remember the day I met my bride and how life has never been the same since. So many amazing memories.
I remember the beautiful friends God has blessed me with since childhood. So many amazing memories.
I remember that I need to be… want to be…. a man of honor and integrity. Hopefully a man of compassion and generosity. Because one day, I will become a memory in the lives of those that I love and I want those memories to be ones they will cherish.
I remember that the pursuits of this world… fame, fortune, power, position, success (whatever that means)… are not at all important. They’re just not.
I remember that I need to tell Laura and other loved ones every day that I love them. Not just tell them but show them because life is short. I never want to miss an opportunity to let my family and friends know what they mean to me.
This health journey is not an easy one. People often tell me how well I handle all that has been thrown at me, but the journey has not been easy. This journey has been and continues to be filled with tough moments. My health journey has definitely been an inconvenience in so many ways. It is something I would never wish on anyone. But while I continue to walk through the challenges of this health crisis, there are good things that can be taken from it. Lessons learned and hopefully more lessons to come. Some amazing memories made and hopefully many more memories to be made.
As I continue to walk this journey, I will never allow it to consume me. It will never become my identity.
I love the words in Genesis 50:20:
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now – life for many people.
I have an opportunity in front of me that most people rarely get. I have had the opportunity to reclaim life from a place where there is usually death.
That makes me one of the most blessed individuals on earth. ~OC
Hallelujah
Today’s a new day! As I have walked this crazy beautiful health journey for over 20 years, I’ve had a lot of time to think about the journey. These thoughts have been like a blueprint for my journey. A journey that is radically different to the one I envisioned 21 years ago.
When I received my first diagnosis back in 2002, I was told after the shock of the diagnosis I would deal with anger and depression. Those well meaning health professionals were wrong. As crazy as it may sound, I feel like this health journey is quite possibly one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Yes, the journey has not been easy. All the surgeries, treatments and hospital stays have not always been pleasant. It’s not the blueprint I would have written for my life. But it has made me really re-evaluate a lot of the things I once held close. It’s made me appreciate my family and friends so much more and realize that possessions mean nothing when you’re faced with the real possibility of dying. Most importantly, it has made me so very aware that the God I believe in and serve is so much bigger and so much closer to me than I ever could have imagined.
Throughout history God has had many names, one of them being Immanuel, meaning ‘God with us’. I have never known that to be more true than I have the last 21 years and counting. Sometimes I wonder why I was chosen to walk this journey. But then God blesses me with a beautiful interruption and I am reminded that God has a purpose for my journey.
I know that God’s ways are higher than my own and there has been immense good that has come from this crazy beautiful health journey. God has used my health journey to bring me and others closer to Him. To bring encouragement. As I walk through this journey, woven into the fabric of my life has been an understanding of what it means to suffer, and from that understanding has flown love, compassion and mercy.
During this journey, I have continuously leaned on Psalm 139:15-16, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and Hebrews 13:5. I will let you research those scriptures on your own. While this health journey and everything that has come with it may seem chaotic, I know there is purpose in this crazy journey. Not my purpose, but the purpose of a God who holds the universe in His hands… who knew me from the moment I was conceived in the womb…. who has walked beside me every day of my life. I may not understand everything that has happened along this journey and maybe on this side of Heaven I never will, but I know that whatever happens, God is in control and he has promised he will never leave me or forsake me.
I don’t know about you, but that gives me a tremendous amount of confidence that everything is going to be alright.
Because of God’s goodness I will sing Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Singing Hallelujah because I am living a blessed life. Singing Hallelujah because my bride who loves me and is standing strong with me in this journey. Singing Hallelujah because I have amazing family and friends who continue to stand with Laura and I during this unending journey. Singing Hallelujah because God walks beside me and fights the battle for me. He commands his angels concerning me and they guard me. God is my fortress, my hiding place while the battle rages around me. He stands between me and my health issues that would seek to take my life and says to the sickness “no further… you will not harm him”.
Singing Hallelujah because I am still alive…. and hopefully will be for many years to come.
There are so many reasons to sing Hallelujah…. so many…. and as long as I have a heartbeat you will hear my Hallelujah.
Whatever you see in me that you think is good comes from Heaven.
It’s not my doing…. it’s His. ~OC
Count It All Joy
Today’s a new day! Do you sometimes have a hard time counting it all joy during the storms of life? I think we all have had those moments. You might be dealing with financial issues, employment issues, housing issues, family issues or health issues. How in the world could you find joy in all that pain and heartbreak?
One of the lessons I have learned during my crazy beautiful health journey, is that God will use these storms to help build our faith. Easy to say, not always easy to live out. Will we make the choice to stand firm in our faith when things look hopeless?
I’ve learned that my faith is like a muscle. The more I use it the stronger my faith grows. God continues to amaze me in ways I could never have imagined. God has used my health issues to strengthen my faith and to help others going through their own journey.
There have been some tough days during this journey and more to come, but I continue to see God providing my every need. I continue to be amazed.
I pray as you walk through the storms of life, you will experience God on a deeper level. That you will experience the beautiful joy, peace and love of God in every area of your life. ~OC
Purpose and Goal
Today’s a new day! People want to be successful in life. Very few people, if any set out to fail in life. While there is nothing wrong with being successful, we must understand our motivation for our various pursuits.
Whenever I start a new undertaking, I try and ask myself “What is my purpose?” What is my end goal?”
When we start a new adventure —a career, relationship, hobby it’s normal to ask ourselves: Is this going to work?
Is it going to be successful? But we have to be honest as to what we’re hoping to accomplish. I’m reminded of the words from 1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Powerful words.
If my sole purpose is to gain my own fame and glory, then I am no different than the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.
Jesus told the Pharisees that they had their reward because they were most concerned over acquiring the praise of people. This does not mean God wants us to fail in our pursuits. No, God wants us to be successful in our endeavors, but we must always check our motives. What is motivating us? What is our purpose?
I believe it’s important to do a self inventory of our lives on a daily basis. A heart, mind and soul checkup. “What are we chasing after in life?” And more importantly “Why are we chasing it?”
If my life is all about me then I cannot shine the spotlight on God and give Him the glory.
If someone were to ask me what is my purpose in life and what is my end goal, this is what I would share. I want to connect with others who crave a deeper relationship with God, who truly want to live out the words we read in the Bible. People who truly want to serve others and be the hands and feet of Jesus. I want to embrace life with people who are not satisfied with being “okay” and “fine” every day, people who are willing to challenge the status quo. People who are willing to step out of their comfort zones to help change the world. People who truly want to draw closer to God.
As I have walked through this twenty plus year health battle, I have experienced the overflowing abundant life that Jesus came to give each of us. I would love to share this experience with others on our journey from earth to eternity. That’s my goal. My purpose in life. What about you? What are you pursuing and for whose glory are you aiming—yours or God’s? ~OC
God Speak to Us
Today’s a new day! Dear God, as we celebrate another day of living we marvel at your love for us. Even on our worst days you still show us love and grace. Thank you Lord, that you would give us your very Word, written down to study and feast upon, that it might become to us the very words of life. This morning as we spend time reading your Word, would you quicken each of us by your Spirit to understand it, to trust it, and to live it out in our daily lives. Make us doers of the Word, not hearers only. Would you speak to each of us through the scripture you lead each of us to this morning. We come before you today with great expectation, knowing that the only true life is your life. Reveal that life to each of us and draw each of us into it, we pray … in your name and for your sake, Dear Father. Amen. ~OC
Waiting
Today’s a new day! How many people like to wait? I am sure most do not. We live in a world where we want immediate results. Instant gratification. When we pray we want God to answer our prayers immediately. Sometimes people can get discouraged when they do not receive an immediate response that they stop praying. We tend to be a right now society. But that’s not how God works most of the time. Oftentimes, prayer is an exercise in patience. Today, if you’re waiting on God to answer a prayer, here are four verses to meditate on as you wait.
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,and in his word I put my hope.” ~Psalm 130:5
Sometimes it’s hard to wait. It may feel, as the Psalmist writes, that our “whole being” waits in anguish. Psalm 130 was clearly written by someone walking through the storms of life. But in those tough moments was someone who knew that in God there is love and hope.
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” ~James 5:7-8
James teaches us how to overcome suffering—by remembering that whatever happens, we know that God is coming back to make everything right. To make everything whole and complete. That the storms we face in this life is not the end of the story. Be encouraged that what is coming is more wonderful than we could imagine.
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” ~2 Peter 3:8-9
In this scripture, Peter reminds us to be patient because God’s timing is not our timing. What seems like years to us is nothing to God. He is timeless and has amazing plans for us. I encourage you not to lose hope. God always knows what’s best for us.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ~Matthew 7:7-8
In the above word, God encourages us to ask, to seek and keep knocking. To be persistent and faithful in our prayers. To keep lifting our prayers up to Him. God will answer our prayers, but sometimes in a way we never imagined. So keep knocking on the door. God is always faithful.
Waiting can be hard. Especially when you have been waiting for a long time. But by relying on the promises of God and staying in prayer, we can turn frustration into faith. Don’t ever give up! Wait on the Lord, and He will answer you. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 