Tag: Jesus

Walking Another Journey

I have always tried to be open and honest about my health journey. God has given me a story of hope and encouragement to share with the world. He has given each of us a story to share. Here is my current story.

As some of you know, I walked an almost 18 year health journey. I faced death on many occasions. At one point I weighed 112 pounds, was living off a feeding tube and had to use a voice amplifier to speak. On November 3, 2019, with just two weeks to live, I walked into a tent and was healed during an old fashioned prayer and healing service. My life changed completely in a minute. I went from The Man Who Refused to Die, to the Dead Man Running sharing my story around the country. A documentary was even made about incredible journey (www.deadmanrunningmovie.com). Life was good. Then February 7, 2021 happened and my life changed again.

I woke up on Super Bowl Sunday February 7, 2021 excited. You see, my Tampa Bay Buccaneers were playing in the Super Bowl. I have been a Bucs fan since the NFL announced Tampa was getting a team in 1974. The Bucs started playing two years later in 1976. Anyone who truly calls themselves a Buccaneers fan knows there have been a lot of ups and downs over the years. But on Sunday February 7, 2021, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would win the Super Bowl. I would only see a few minutes of the game. Life was about to throw me another curveball.

I woke up that Sunday morning a little tired, but nothing major. I went to church that morning feeling excited about the day. After church, I came home and took a small nap. Had to get my rest before cheering for my Bucs. I did not wake up rested. No, I woke up trenched in sweat and a 103.7 fever. So I ended up sleeping through most of the Super Bowl. The next day Monday February 8th, I would be admitted into the hospital with Covid and deal with a 104.4 fever for four straight days. Little did I know that over a year later, I would be still dealing with issues from Covid and be classified as a Long Hauler.

Which brings me to September 2022. I am currently hospitalized and dealing with an uncertain future. I was brought to the hospital a few days ago with stroke life symptoms. Thankfully, the doctors do not believe I had a stroke. So what caused those symptoms? We may never know. Thank you Covid. These days eating and even drinking have become difficult. At this time, I am taking in less than 500 calories a day. My body is being attacked on multiple fronts. A lot of tough decisions will need to be made over the next few days and weeks. Once again, thank you Covid.

With all that said, I am still clinging to the promises of Jesus. I am reaching out, just trying to touch his robe. I still believe in the beautiful miracles of Jesus. None of this is a surprise to the King of Kings. He is still using my beautiful crazy journey to tell a story of hope, love and encouragement. I am at peace.

A little side note. Jesus did not take away my miracle from November 3, 2019. My current health issues are not caused from sin in my life. I do not have some type of evil spirit in my life. The only spirit I have in my body is the Holy Spirit. I share this because these things have been said to me as I am walking this new health journey. I also know other people walking through their own journey that have heard these cruel words. Please do not believe these lies. Remember, Lazarus was raised from the dead, but today he is walking with Jesus in Heaven. So for those walking through a storm, do not walk in these lies. Walk in the beautiful victory, hope, love and peace of Jesus. Stay Focused. Finish Strong. ~OC

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Go Rest On High

As I have scrolled through social media the past few weeks, I have been saddened by stories of friends dealing with the death of loved ones. Those stories inspired me to write the following words.

Your mission on earth is now complete. No more pain fills your days. Your journey on earth was filled with ups and downs. But even during the hardest days, you looked up to heaven and gave praise. When the enemy came in the middle of the night, you faced him head on never taking a step back. You reminded the enemy that even on the darkest days, you would continue to praise the one on high.

Now you are looking into the eyes of Jesus rejoicing in praise. He has welcomed you home. No more walking through the pain. Your purpose on earth is now complete. I wish I could have seen your face as the angels led you into the gates of heaven to meet the King. We rejoice as we think about you sitting at the feet of the King of Kings, as he took you by the hand and uttered those beautiful words well done, thou good and faithful servant. I can see the smile on your face as you gazed into his eyes. Go rest on high.

We will continue this journey as we carry your memory in our hearts. We will remember your strength and determination as you faced your darkest days. Some days will be filled with tears, when we pick up the phone to call only to remember you have gone home to the King. We will smile as we recall how you made everyone laugh even during the pain. We will rejoice as we think of the day we join you in heaven and sit at the feet of the King. Go rest on high. ~OC

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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

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Prayer

Today’s a new day! In the past as I prayed for people and their needs, I would often find myself looking at my clock or thinking about other things. Rather than truly talking with Jesus or listening for his voice, I would find myself talking at Jesus. Those times of prayer often felt burdensome, empty and tiring.

Over the years, my prayer habits have thankfully changed. I have come to see prayer as a chance to embrace those beautiful moments with Jesus. Now my time with Jesus is my favorite part of the day. A sweet time I approach with beautiful anticipation. ~OC

#RelationshipOverReligion

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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.

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United

In a divisive age, it’s easy to get caught up in our many differences. From denominational differences, political beliefs, even our favorite sports teams. We tend to argue a lot. With drama flooding our every interaction on social media to the real world, we can feel stressed. angry and alone. But are we really as different as we think?

There’s no escaping our many differences. They’re broadcast to us daily across social media, news outlets,work places and even our places of worship. We are hearing voices of disagreements from people of all walks of life. Sometimes, it feels like nobody is even trying to listen. These are trying times.

It’s tough to admit, but we tend to turn a small disagreement into WWIII. When truth be told, we have much in common with our brothers and sisters in Christ. For example, we are all sinners. We all need forgiveness. We all need grace. We all need love. We all need Jesus.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should all be united in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Some of us attend different demonstrations. Those denominations have different ways of doing things. But at the end of the day, if we believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose three days later and is coming back for His children, we should rejoice together and lay our differences at the foot of the Cross. We should stand United. ~OC

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Blessed Obedience

On Wednesday November 3,2021, I celebrated the 2nd anniversary of my amazing miracle. Sometimes I am still overwhelmed that with just weeks to live in 2019, Jesus used an old-fashioned tent meeting to do a miracle. What a beautiful ride the last two years have been.

To celebrate my 2nd anniversary, I attended a night of worship with Elevation Worship and Steven Furtick. Funny thing is, I did not plan on attending this incredible event. I have been so busy promoting our documentary Dead Man Running The Todd Shoemaker Story, I really did not have the time and frankly the energy to attend. But Jesus had other plans. Around 4:30pm the day of the concert, Jesus put it on my heart to attend. Really Jesus? The concert starts at 7pm. The concert is over an hour away. Are there any tickets left? So I jumped on my computer to look for a ticket. Jesus, I really do not want to be in the nose bleed seats. Also, I really do not want to spend a lot of money on the ticket. Unfortunately Laura could not attend, so I only needed one ticket. As I searched the concert site, I found one floor ticket in my price range. Praise Jesus. Okay Jesus, I have my ticket in hand. Why in the last minute, did you put it on my heart to attend this night of worship?

As I entered the arena, I felt the Holy Spirit moving throughout the building. I started getting excited. I found my seat and started to pray. A little later a young lady took her seat next to me. Then the music started. The praises went up and the presence of the Holy Spirit got stronger. As I was praising with the rest of the crowd, I had an overwhelming feeling the young lady next to me was walking through a major battle. I began to silently pray for her. Then something amazing happened. Pastor Steven Furtick encouraged the audience to ask the person next to them what they needed prayer for. So I turned to this young lady and asked how could I pray for you? She shared she had been dealing with cancer for a number of years and needed prayer. Sick for a number of years and needing a miracle. I could relate to that. So I prayed over this young lady that Jesus would completely heal her. She thanked me and we sat down. But things did not end there. After the concert, I was able to connect this young lady with a wonderful Christian Cancer Support Group. We exchanged numbers so she could reach me if she needed some encouragement. What a blessed encounter.

So Jesus, that’s why you wanted me to attend this concert. To have a beautiful encounter with someone who needs a miracle, just like I did back on November 3, 2019. Did that young lady get her miracle that night? I don’t know. Will she experience a miracle in the future. I don’t know. Only Jesus knows that. But I know she left that arena walking in her miracle. I was obedient to the calling Jesus put on my heart to attend that concert. I was obedient to pray for that young lady sitting next to me. The lesson is to be available and obedient when Jesus calls us to go. Even when he calls you to attend a concert. By the way, Elevation Worship and Steven Furtick were amazing. A beautiful blessed night of obedience. Thank you Jesus! ~OC

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Second Anniversary

On November 3, 2019, I woke up with only weeks to live. After 17 years of battling multiple life threatening health issues my body was tired. Later that evening on 11/3, Laura and I attended a prayer and healing service. We had invited a lot of friends who desperately needed a miracle in their lives. We walked into that tent to pray for those friends. Little did we know Jesus was going to do a beautiful healing miracle in my life that night. The picture below is me in June 2019. By that night in November 2019, I looked much worse. So today two years later, we celebrate all that Jesus has done in my life the last two years.

So tonight at 8pm we release the official music video for Dead Man Running The Todd Shoemaker Story. You can check out the music video on our YouTube channel @deadmanrunningthemovie. I also encourage you to check out our website at http://www.deadmanrunningmovie.com

~OC

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