Today’s a new day!
Happy Friday! Here is a prayer for the day. ~OC
Dear God, you are the true hope for this world. I pray in the darkness of this hour, that you would speak a word of hope to our anxious hearts, so that we might wait faithfully for the fulfillment of your promises in our lives and may hope renew us in our hour of need. I pray all of this in the name of the One who is trustworthy in all things and faithful in all that He does. Amen.
Today’s a new day! On occasion, I post things that some people disagree with. There are times some of my friends post things I do not agree with. Guess what? It’s okay.
If we could only accept one another in all the different views and opinions that are out there, what a different place this world would be.
We all have an opinion. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with stating our opinion. What is bad is when we expect everyone else to go along with our opinion.
That is when all kinds of arguing and hard feelings can happen.
We are all free to have our opinions yet we should accept the fact that not everyone will agree. Keep in mind our opinions may not be right and our opinions may change over time.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion and being free to state their opinion, but remember it is only one opinion. We should not expect everyone to go along and we should not get mad when others have differing opinions.
Accept one another and the unique ways God created us. Love and accept those who see things differently. That does not always mean we agree or condone what others do, but we are not going to always agree on everything anyway.
As we read God’s word in the Bible, we are instructed to love and serve others. To live a life where God is glorified.
We should not spend so much time worrying that others see things differently than us on certain topics. We should not get mad and fight and argue trying to convince people to see things our way.
As a follower of Christ , I follow him the way feel I believe he is leading me. Did you catch that? The way He is leading me. Not the way He might be leading you or someone else. If you happen not to believe in God, or follow another faith or do not believe in a god at all, follow your heart and do not try to force your views on others.
I believe God is big enough to work in each of us as He sees best. Rather than worry about forcing our opinions and views on others, accept the fact that we are all different. Love others and respect one another despite those differences. What a wonderful world that would be. ~OC
Today’s a new day! This is not the America that so many men and women gave their lives for. But sadly, this is the type of hate that so many Americans voted for and support. I must remember that God is still in control. I know that can be hard to believe as we see everything that’s happening in our nation, but nothing we’re seeing right now is from God. This is all man made. Dear God, please help us. ~OC
Today’s a new day! Since the inauguration of the current administration, many people are either alarmed or are at least paying attention at what has transpired.
We wonder how putting flawed inexperienced people in charge of our government agencies will make our lives better. We see one of the main issues that got him elected — inflation — take a back seat to revenge and retribution. We see the destruction of the rule of law and allowing a unelected out of control billionaire actually run the country.
One of my biggest fears is the loss of checks and balances in a president who appears to have no ethical compass. I wonder what our deceased men and women of the military, who gave their lives fighting for our freedom would think of our current gutless Congress who are willing to throw out our democracy and cower in fear of being primaried from our billionaire overlords.
I think the American people need to hold these compromised representatives accountable for the sake of this generation and generations to come. Thanks for listening. ~OC
Good Morning! Here is another entry from “The Lost Writings of OC.” This is from 2021.
Today’s a new day! It has been my experience that God uses what seems to be our weakest moments to propel us to the next chapter in His plan and purpose in our lives.
During this crazy beautiful health journey, God has given me the strength and motivation to take steps forward each day. Here are three takeaways.
1). Pray – This is sadly usually the last resort. We as believers usually pray; however, we pray after we have done everything that we can do in our own strength. In Matthew 6:33, it says seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Go to Him, talk with Him and invite Him into your situation.
2). Listen – Over the years, I have spent a ton of time telling God what my next steps are, and sometimes I picture Him looking at me, shaking His head and saying… “Are you done yet?” I have historically been terrible at this. I’ve wanted my relationship with God to be very transactional. However, I have learned over time that this isn’t how He tends to work. We must lean in and listen. I also try to write in my journal what I feel God is speaking to me at the time and what the next steps are in my situation that I am struggling with. Pausing to write has been a very important way for me to allow God to work in my life.
3). Act – What if we truly walked out the Scriptures that look good on a t-shirt or bumper sticker, such as Matthew 19:26…with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. What would happen if we lived with the mindset of “do the next right thing?” Today, just take one step forward. Just a small applicable steps in the right direction allows roots to take hold, grow and build a strong foundation rooted in God.
I am not sure what season you might be walking through right now. It could be something as small as what cereal to buy, or it could be some huge life-altering situation that you just don’t know what to do with. Give them to God and let His strength shine in these moments. I know that this is counterculture but remember another promise from Scripture in Matthew 11:28-29…
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Good Morning! Here is my morning prayer for you. Have a great day! ~OC
Dear God, I pray my family and friends experience the peace that comes from a heart filled with gratitude. Your Word reminds us in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Help each of my family and friends to cultivate a grateful heart, finding joy in the blessings You have bestowed upon each of them. May gratitude be the foundation of their inner peace. Allow them to walk in victory today. Amen
Hello again. I am loving going through old journals and finding these writings that I have entitled “The Lost Letters of OC.” I wrote this back in 2019.
Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,
I have wanted to write this letter for a long time, but I wasn’t sure it would do any good. Like you, I’m on my own journey.
I have been frustrated because it feels like Christians have stopped listening to the needs of others, unless it fits their agenda. Do you really care what non- Christians or people from other faiths really think or care about ? Do you truly care about your neighbor or coworker that feels like their life is filled with roadblocks? How about the neighbor who is struggling to just pay their bills? How about that neighbor who votes differently than you?
You talk about truth and the Bible in such a way that it seems like you’re shoving your faith down people’s throats. You often judge those around you. What you believe in appears more important than what the scriptures have to say. You make living out the Christian faith seem like an impossible task. I doubt anyone including other Christians could ever measure up to your standards.
To be honest, your religion seems to make you angry all the time. It’s a real downer when you continuously point out everything you find to be wrong in this world. You seem so against everything, it’s hard to believe you could really have anyone’s best interest in mind. Your complaints don’t exactly inspire anyone to give their life to Christ.
Dear Christians, stop rolling out this angry type of religion, and ask that neighbor or coworker about their life. People want to know you truly care about them. People are looking for Christians to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Life is tough. Some people are feeling empty and lonely. They’re feeling excluded by a group of people who should be making them feel loved and welcomed. So when you say, “Jesus is the answer,” your words ring hollow. People do not want to want hang around people who are always judging them or trying to set them straight.
What people really want to know is if you care about them as a human being. They need real friends who stand by them when they’re alone, afraid, or hurt. If you want to influence people, just act like a decent, kind and caring person.
Your Brother in Christ,
~OC
Good Morning ! Here is another “Lost Writings from OC” from 2018. I believe it still has some meaning in 2025.
Today’s a new day! Indulge me for just a moment. If you were God and you were planning on coming to earth. What kind of role would you take on in society?
Would you be a wealthy CEO?
A powerful politician?
A celebrity with social media influence?
Or would you choose to become a poor child, on the run from violence and oppression?
I believe there is something profoundly significant about the fact that God’s own son walked this earth as an undocumented child refugee.
This was no accident.
It was part of the divine plan all along. Jesus could have been born and lived as a prince, a wealthy landowner or the Chief Priest. But instead He chose to become a refugee – forever linking himself with the most vulnerable people on earth:
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. ~Matthew 2: 13-15
So, God’s heart is very much for the refugee. His own Son chose to become a refugee. To the point where Jesus proclaimed that, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me in.”
Whatever you do for refugees you do for Him.
Your posture towards the “caravan” of refugees is your heart’s posture towards Jesus.
God even calls them his “brothers” as a reminder that those who suffer should be considered as family members that you woud invite over for Thanksgiving or a BBQ (Matthew 25:40).
There are few themes repeated in Scripture more than the call to care for the orphan, the widow and the alien (or foreigner):
“So you, too, must show love to FOREIGNERS, for you yourselves were once FOREIGNERS in the land of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10:19
“Cursed is he who distorts the justice due a FOREIGNER, orphan, and widow. And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’“ Deuteronomy 27:19
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment…against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the FOREIGNER and do not fear Me,” says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:5
So, how then should you and I respond, practically speaking, to what seems like an overwhelming refugee crisis?
There are four actions, I think, that would be Biblical, Christ-like responses to the humanitarian crisis that is currently unfolding. These are the ways I would want folks to respond if my own child or spouse were caught up in this refugee crisis:
SPIRITUALLY:
We must not lose hope. We must not despair. We must continue to to have Hope, because our world is not a closed system. God continues to infuse our world with hope, and Divine Love seeps through the cracks in our broken world. Let’s continue to pray together for peace, for provision. Let’s continue to petition and plead for, “On earth as it is in heaven….where there is no more pain or death or crying, and every tear is wiped away.”
1. Make them feel safe.
As refugees, they were forced to flee their country, leaving everything behind and running for safety with just the clothes on their backs. They’ve experienced much trauma. We should do whatever we can to make them feel welcome and safe.
2. Offer hospitality.
Perhaps the best thing you can do for refugees is to open your home to them. You can have them over for meals, or game night. You can invite them to social and family events so they can experience American culture at a Fourth of July cookout, a Thanksgiving dinner, or an Easter play.
3. Ask good questions.
When spending time with our new friends, we’ll have opportunities to ask them questions about their culture. We should be genuinely interested in them and their families. We can ask about their holidays and traditions, the things they do or don’t do, and why or why not. We might even try to learn some words in their language. Asking good questions shows them we care.
Christians should understand what it means to have someone care for you when you’re a stranger and foreigner. It’s what Jesus did for us.
4. Respect Over Fear
As we become friends with refugees, it’s imperative that we show love and respect. Not Fear.
Has Jesus not called us to love our neighbors, no matter the cost?
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18)
Yes, this can be a difficult calling. Only love can overcome fear. And that is why I appeal to you on the basis of relationship and familial ties. What if that refugee child were your own flesh and blood? What if they were your own son or daughter? What mountain would you not climb? What politician would you not lobby? What price would you not pay to see them brought to safety.
Only the kind of love we usually reserve for family can overcome the fear and selfishness that teaches us to close our doors and turn away from the refugees plight. But Jesus calls us to a different way, the way of peace, radical welcome and laying down our lives for others.
Will you allow that love to compel you towards action today?
I pray you will take time to reflect on this post. How would God want you to treat the vulnerable? How can God use you during this crisis? ~OC
Today’s a new day! Our hearts and treatment of immigrants and refugees should be rooted in and reflect God’s heart for the vulnerable. ~OC
Today’s a new day! When the response to a sermon is outrage and a desire to censor takes root, there is a strong possibility truth has been spoken but rejected. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 