Today’s a new day! Sometimes I think I should stay silent and just keep the peace. But then I think if I choose to stay silent, will I cease to do good. I believe if we adhere to respectful silence, we provide space to those who are pushing forward false and harmful ideas. We create greater opportunity for the voices of error and harm to be heard and believed. God has gifted some of us with prophetic voices, ones that can issue a clarion call to the things that are true and good and pure and right and beautiful. We need to pray for those with this gift and encourage them to be brave and bold, yet marked by grace, love, humility, and kindness as they seek God for how to steward this gift. For others, we can each be loving truth tellers in the relationships and situations in which we have a platform. That may be within our families or our friend groups, within our schools, churches or our work places, and even on social media. No doubt, we will sometimes be met with criticism or rejection, even if we speak prayerfully and intending to speak peaceably. Jesus, who is the ultimate truth (John 14:6), likewise experienced rejection (Isaiah 53:3, 1 Peter 2:4). But if our goal is the well-being of others, then we will lovingly speak truth to them and risk offending them, for true life and blessing only come by way of truth. Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” In keeping silent, we say nothing. And in our silence, perhaps we have ceased doing good. You and I have a voice. We have a platform, be it large or small. May God give us wisdom to know how to use our voices to bring honor to him and to bring good to others with wisdom, love, and kindness. ~OC
I Was Never Alone
Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writings of OC.” This was dated 4/20/15.
When I was sad, He was sad. When I felt rejected, He felt rejected. And, when I cried, He cried with me. He is in me, and my emotions are connected to His emotions. Everything I have ever felt good or bad God has felt those, too.
And then I realized “I was never alone.”
There is something so tender, no it’s sacred, when God opens Heaven and we realize just how near to us He really is.
It brings something so distant and intangible very close and even touchable – spirit to spirit. It removes the lie that we are as invisible to Him as He is to us. It makes us known to Him and He known to us.
It’s easy to feel alone in this world. It’s easy to forget that Jesus weeps when we weep. It’s easy to believe God doesn’t care, have time, or desire to be involved in our lives. It’s easy because we impose our past experiences with others upon a God that sometimes we treat more like a sidekick than a caring Father.
If you’re going through a tough season in life, can I pray for you? It’s hard to keep going day in and day out when you feel so alone. I may not know your current circumstances, but I understand the feelings. More importantly, God understands your feelings and knows your circumstances. He loves you, and above all He has not abandoned you. He is hurt when someone hurts you. He is sad when a friend walks away. He is heartbroken because you’ve been cast aside, and He cried as you’ve cried. Dear friend, God sees you, and you are not alone.
Dear God, I pray for those that are hurting. Father, thank you that you are with them and remind them they’re not alone. I pray dear God that they feel your nearness in the chaos of their daily life. Reveal yourself to those that feel lost in a way that shows them you are near. Guard their heart as they navigate through this difficult time, and protect their mind, and daily bring your truth to override the lies. We pray all of this in Jesus name. Amen
I Can…
Good Morning! Here is another “Lost Writings of OC.” I originally wrote this in 2018. Have a wonderful day.
Today’s a new day! There are a lot of things I cannot control in this world, but there is plenty I can do…
I can choose to pray for people.
I can choose to help feed and shelter the homeless.
I can choose how I treat people.
I can choose to be a mentor.
I can choose to show kindness to everyone I come in contact with.
I can choose to show respect to everyone around me.
I can choose not to judge people.
I can choose not to hate.
I can choose to Love.
There is plenty we can choose to do to help make this a better world. ~OC
A Monday Morning Prayer
Good Morning! A prayer to start your day. ~OC
Dear God, sometimes we can be so wishy-washy when it comes to taking hold of Your promises and making them ours. So today, we choose to lean into your amazing plans and promises for our lives. Help us to not allow our human experience to talk us out of our spiritual inheritance. Dear God, help us to set our feet upon every promise that You have given us . Let us go all in! It’s in Your precious name that we pray. ~Amen
Do Not Limit God
Good Morning! I hope you take the time to read and reflect on these words today. I wrote this back in 2010. It does not appear I ever posted it. “Lost Writings from OC.”
Today’s a new day! Welcome to a new week. I pray that everyone had a wonderful and memorable weekend. My challenge for you this week is to Not Limit God!
I must admit there have been times in my spiritual journey that I have limited God. Yes, me. I did not always do this intentionally, but subconsciously I would begin stuffing God into a little box. I was putting limits on Him and not even realizing that I was doing so.
I would go to God with a prayer request and step out on faith that He would see it through. Now when things in the natural didn’t work out according to my plan, I would assume they were not going to work out and move on. But how many people actually realize that God is more than capable of doing exceedingly and wonderful things in every area of our lives? He can do more than we could ever imagine, hope for or ask for… in God’s timing. Not our timing. Did you catch that?
Another way we limit God is by thinking that in order for a blessing to manifest that He has to operate the way we think things should be done. We sometimes forget that our thinking is limited, but God’s is not. We forget how powerful He really is. The scripture says, He is ALMIGHTY GOD. There are no limits on what God can and will do in our lives.
How many of us are guilty of limiting God? Well do not beat yourself up, God is not finished with you yet. We need to remind ourselves daily of who God is. When we spend time studying God’s word, we can be confident that God is able to do all things. But we must acknowledge that we do not have everything under control, but that God is always in control. We must stop limiting God to what we can see in the natural and trust that He can move mountains in the supernatural. Today, let’s live out our faith and know that God is able to blow our minds.
As you face challenges this week, I encourage you to not limit God. I know the medical scan shows one thing, but I double dog dare you to not limit God. I know it looks like your money is gone before the month has ended, but I triple dog dare you to stop limiting God. When we take God out of that box we stuffed Him in, He will expand our faith and take us to new and beautiful heights.
So this week, stop limiting God and watch Him do new and exciting things in your life. Have a great week! ~OC
A Greeting
Happy Sunday! A morning prayer as we welcome this new day. ~OC
Dear God, we greet this morning with a sense of awe and gratitude. Whether we woke up refreshed or with a little extra sleep in our eyes, we give You thanks for this new day. Dear Lord, we know you can refresh every part of our lives. You can revive us. You can give us new hope and sense of purpose. So on this new day, we give you thanks for new breath. We breathe in the fresh moments of this day. Dear God, we thank you for new opportunities. For new beginnings. Use us today to bring peace and love to our small part of the world. Dear God, thanks again for this new day. ~Amen
A Saturday Prayer
Happy Saturday Morning! Let us pray before we start another day. ~OC
Dear God, thank you for another day. Another day filled with challenges and beautiful opportunities. Refresh us this morning. Allow us to live in your presence. Allow us to welcome and encourage every person we encounter today. Allow us to be present in every situation today. Dear God, teach us when to speak and when to listen. When to ponder and when to share. In moments of challenge allow us to lean into the whisperings of your heart. Dear Lord, feel us with the simple gift of your peace today. Allow us to celebrate your joy this day. When our day goes well, may we rejoice. When life grows difficult, surprise us with new possibilities. When life is overwhelming, call us to rest. Dear God, restore your Peace and Harmony in each of our hearts. May our lives reveal your goodness. Dear God, we pray all of this in your precious name. Amen
Christianity in America 2025
I have made enemies by simply living my life. A friend texted me this week to tell me all my beliefs and opinions are wrong because they do not fall in line with the Christianity being ingested by so many believers today. So he can no longer call me friend.
We read the same Bible, but his beliefs are not what I see when I study God’s scriptures. But somehow, I am wrong because I choose to let people share their opinions and live their lives without judgement. But based on believing all people matter somehow I am wrong.
I do choose to believe all people matter, while my friend and so many Christians like him today, choose to put certain barriers on whose opinions, beliefs and lives matter. If you do not vote a certain way or worship a certain way, somehow you’re less than and can be cast aside like a worn out pair of shoes.
When did Christianity become a club for a few and stop welcoming everyone to the table? When did Christianity become more about a political party and less about the Gospel of Jesus Christ? So many questions, but few too many Christians willing to welcome a difference of opinion.
It’s 2025 and I am not sure most people know what Christianity in America really is today. Obviously my friend and so many other believers are living a form of Christianity that makes no sense to me.
But I will continue to lean into the true teachings of Jesus. I will strive to be His hands and feet. I will not allow this hijacked form of Christianity I see around me in 2025 be the Christianity that people experience when they think about me. I will continue to love and serve all people as Jesus loves them. Even if that means I lose a few friends along the way. ~OC
Facing Challenges
Good Morning! I do not have a date for when I wrote the following. But as I looked it over, I thought it was relevant to what so many of us are facing today. ~OC
Today’s a new day! There will be times in our lives that we will face challenges in life.
There will be times when we see blatant disregard for God’s Word even within the Christian community.
There will be a time when some Christians will choose political power over the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
There will be a time when Christians will be put in a position to stand for what’s right or choose to be guided by the allure of power.
There will be a time when Christians will need to step up for what’s right. Even if that means standing alone.
Sometimes, we will find ourselves in situations where we will need to decide if we will obey God or “follow the crowd”. Our decision will either glorify God or give the enemies of God an opportunity to scorn Him. It is very important to stand for what you believe in (especially if your conviction is coming from what God has clearly said); even when others have a different opinion or thought.
It Takes Courage
The truth is, standing alone requires courage.
It is important to know that courage is not the absence of fear; it is confidence in something or someone greater than the emotions of fear.
To stand alone, one must have confidence that obedience to God and His word will ultimately result in a superior outcome. We can always stand alone for truth, if we have this confidence in God and His Word.
Standing alone can definitely be hard, but certainly not impossible.
There are several examples of people in the Bible who towed this path.
In Hebrews 11:7, we see where Noah chose to believe God. God told Noah about bad things that would happen. Nobody could see what would happen, but Noah believed God’s message. He was careful to do exactly what God told him. He built a large ship to save his family. As a result of his faith, Noah showed that everyone else in the world was wrong. Noah himself became one of those people that God accepted as right with him.
Just imagine. It was only Noah and his family on God’s side against all of the naysayers on the other side.
But Noah did it. And if he did it, then we can too.
God’s Word Is Our Fortress:
When it comes to standing for what one believes in, it all starts and ends with what the Lord is saying – either through His revealed word or His spoken word directly to us.
God’s Word is the believer’s most powerful weapon against evil and it is his most potent fortress when it comes to standing alone.
Scripture is no doubt a deep source of strength. It has been my anchor in overwhelming situations that have required me to stand alone. I am a living, breathing testimony that standing alone with God is the best because you will always win.
Remember that when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, He defeated Satan by quoting the Scriptures. In His response to the enemy’s first temptation, Jesus emphasized the necessity of knowing God’s Word, pointing out that our need for God’s Word is even more critical than our need for physical sustenance.
“But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ~Matthew 4:4
We must know the Word of God in order to stand alone for truth.
You Are Not Alone
When you are standing for what God says – which you have come to believe in, it may seem like you are all alone. But the truth is, you are never truly alone because God is standing with you. He promised to never leave us (Isaiah 43:1-5; Matthew 28:20)
Knowing this, we need to always turn to God for the grace and strength to face whatever may come.
Stand Strong! God is with us. I pray the following scriptures will give you hope:
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. ~1 Corinthians 16:13
Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you. ~Deuteronomy 31:6
Keep and protect me, O God, for in You I have placed my trust and found refuge. ~Psalms 16:1
This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!” ~ Jeremiah 7:23
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” ~Isaiah 41:10
Dear God, we have chosen to obey you by standing alone for the truth, please help us to be courageous. Grant us grace and strength to face whatever may come and at the end Lord, please give us victory to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Hope Over Division
Good Morning! The following is something I have been working on the last few days. Yes, it’s long, but I hope you will take the time to read it.
Today’s a new day! The last few days, I have had some friends decide their political beliefs were more important than the Gospel and our friendship. But sadly, this is nothing new.
Over the last few years, I have found it sad that some Christians just do not understand how someone who disagrees with their political beliefs could possibly be a Christian. So much division over something so trivial as politics.
But division among Christians is not new, and is not a surprise to God.
Conflict among God’s people is not isolated to one culture or even one generation. Conflict is inevitable. Opinions will differ. But if we are rooted in the gospel, we should be united in purpose.
As I have surveyed the landscape of America, I have found people from different socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, political persuasions, and church denominations pursuing Christ with passion and commitment. I have found people finding unity in Christ, not political parties or politicians.
I have also been blessed to see Christians discover the gift of unity, even in disagreements. Sadly, I have also experienced some Christians allowing differences to end friendships. It is a choice we have to make daily.
I believe when Christians are truly united in the Gospel, we will be united in purpose.
In my journey, I have found that people do not always realize that we can have the same faith and have very different life experiences. In today’s heated culture, we may wonder if Christians can disagree and still remain united. For generations, across all nations and cultures, Christians have asked the same question. Is it truly possible to approach complex issues without losing our love for one another? I believes the answer is yes. It might not be easy, but if we truly put God’s love first I believe we can experience God’s unifying power to overcome our differences.
I also believe these three lessons can help.
Do not confuse differences with division:
In Revelation 7:9, we read inspiring verses about a great multitude gathered in worship before Jesus:
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”
In John’s vision, “every nation, tribe, people and language” praised the living God together.
This beautiful picture gives us hope for eternity, but Christ-centered unity can feel distant today. When we struggle, I encourages everyone to not let our God-given differences evolve into manmade division.
When we seek after God to help us guard against division, we can trust that He will work through our differences in His timing and in His way.
I do not look at nations, tribes, and tongues as something to divide us. Those are just characteristics, like someone being tall or short. We have made them into divisions, but God is the one who created those distinctions. It may be visible that people are different, but Revelation tells us we are not divided in the eyes of Christ. I truly believe God works uniquely within the Church through every time and culture. When division threatens God’s people today and leads to disagreement, we can pray for one another. Through individual prayer for others, even those we disagree with, God can soften our hearts and give us renewed patience.
Focus on what draws us together:
Through Revelation 7:10, we are challenged to focus on the One who draws us together:
“And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
It is no surprise that the Bible talks about the diversity of the people while they stand before Jesus claiming Him as the one true God. There is a unity in what they are claiming. They are in agreement that all blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, and honor belong to Him. They are 100 percent focused on Jesus.
I believe this picture is a reminder that the One who unites His people is stronger than anything that drives us apart. When we seek God through His Word, He gives us a complete picture of His character. Through His Word we find wisdom, courage, and hope.
This picture of God’s people worshipping in unison should be a reminder to all of us to stay in a posture of humility. In today’s society, we are often encouraged to assume the worst about those who disagree with us. But there is room at the table for differences of opinion when Christ is our focus. We do not have to carry the burden of argument or debate. Instead, when we keep our eyes on Him and not others, we can pray, discuss, and enjoy being together.
When we look to Christ, we discover that Jesus gives us the wisdom and strength to navigate our differences without division.
Put our faith in God’s promises, not people:
In Revelation 7:9-10, God reveals that He is worthy of our worship. The chapter closes with a beautiful picture of what we will experience in eternity under Christ’s authority:
“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water,’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes’” (Revelation 7:17).
In today’s culture, we are tempted to place our faith in people, denominations, political parties or human solutions. But leaders come and go, and even Christians can disappoint us. Revelation 7:17 reminds us that the Lamb who chose to die for His people is the same Lamb who rules for eternity. Jesus, who stands worthy of our worship, bends low to wipe away our tears.
That is a promise. Even though we do not know what’s going to happen, we can trust that God is enough. We are reminded in Revelation that when we struggle through disappointment on earth, we can trust God’s promises for the future. With that in mind, we can meet our brothers and sisters in Christ with grace as we trust the Lord to reveal truth in His time.
What God has revealed for the future is enough to give us hope for today.
I pray you will spend some time reflecting on these words today. Walk and live in peace and harmony with everyone. Even those you disagree with. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 