Tag: Justice

Wake Up, Christian: Why I Write About Tough Topics

One of the questions I get asked quite often is this:

“Why do you write about such tough topics?”

Sometimes the question is phrased a little differently:

“Why don’t you just stick to the nice,

encouraging, less controversial subjects?”

My answer is usually very simple:

Because that is what God has placed on my heart at that moment.

I don’t sit down and ask myself, “How can I make people uncomfortable today?” I sit down and ask, “Lord, what do You want me to say?”

Sometimes He leads me to write about hope, healing, miracles, and encouragement. Other times He leads me to write about difficult issues that many people would rather avoid.

The truth is, I believe too many Christians have become comfortable.

Far too many believers want to walk through life with blinders on, roast marshmallows, eat s’mores, and pretend everything in the world is just fine.

But it isn’t.

Look around.

People are hurting.

Families are broken.

Addictions are destroying lives.

Human trafficking continues to victimize millions.

Abuse is often ignored.

Depression and anxiety are everywhere.

Suicide rates remain alarming.

Loneliness is growing.

The world is facing some very real and very difficult challenges.

As followers of Christ, we cannot afford to pretend these issues don’t exist.

Jesus never ignored pain.

Jesus never looked away from suffering.

Jesus never avoided difficult conversations.

He stepped directly into the brokenness of humanity and brought truth, hope, healing, and redemption.

As Christians, we are called to be a bright light in a dark world. Sometimes that means encouraging people. Sometimes it means comforting people. Sometimes it means speaking difficult truths and confronting evil when we see it.

The world doesn’t need a thirty-minute sitcom version of Christianity.

The world doesn’t need believers who pretend life is perfect.

The world doesn’t need another polished sermon that makes us feel good on Sunday but leaves us spiritually empty by Monday morning.

What the world desperately needs is genuine Christianity.

People want authenticity.

They want to see believers who are honest about their struggles.

They want to see Christians who admit they don’t have it all together.

They want to see followers of Jesus who are willing to show their scars, their failures, their lessons learned, and how God carried them through.

They want to see faith that is real.

The Gospel was never meant to simply make us comfortable.

It was meant to transform us.

Growth rarely happens when we stay comfortable.

Growth happens when God challenges us.

Growth happens when we wrestle with hard truths.

Growth happens when the Holy Spirit convicts our hearts and calls us to something greater.

That is why I will continue sharing messages that challenge people.

Not because I enjoy controversy.

Not because I think I have all the answers.

But because I believe God often uses uncomfortable moments to produce spiritual growth.

If a message makes us stop and think, examine our hearts, or see the world through God’s eyes, then perhaps that discomfort is exactly what we need.

Now, don’t worry—I won’t write only about difficult subjects.

I’ll still sprinkle in plenty of encouraging posts about faith, hope, healing, miracles, worship, and God’s goodness.

After all, encouragement is important too.

But I will not shy away from the hard conversations when God places them on my heart.

The Church doesn’t need less truth.

The Church doesn’t need less courage.

The Church doesn’t need less conviction.

The Church needs believers who are awake, engaged, and willing to shine the light of Christ wherever darkness exists.

So my encouragement today is simple:

Wake up.

Look around.

Pray.

Pay attention.

Love people.

Speak truth.

Show grace.

Confront evil.

Offer hope.

And above all else, point people to Jesus.

Because this world doesn’t need comfortable Christianity.

It needs Christians who are willing to follow Jesus wherever He leads—even when the conversation gets difficult. ~OC

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Two Questions Every Christian Should Ask Themselves

Today’s a new day! 

There are two questions that have been on my heart recently, and honestly, they are questions I need to ask myself as much as anyone else.

Question #1: When someone looks at your life, would they want to be like you?

Not because we’re perfect.

Not because we have all the answers.

Not because we’ve never failed.

But when people see our lives, do they see something different? Do they see the peace of Christ in the middle of chaos? Do they see grace when others are harsh? Do they see hope when circumstances seem hopeless? Do they see a faith that remains steady when life gets difficult?

The Apostle Paul boldly wrote, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

That is a challenging statement. Could we honestly say the same?

When people watch how we treat our spouses, our children, our neighbors, the cashier at the grocery store, or even those who disagree with us, are they seeing Jesus reflected in us?

The truth is that our lives may be the only Bible some people ever encounter. Every conversation, every action, every response to adversity is an opportunity to point people toward Christ—or away from Him.

None of us get it right all the time. I certainly don’t. But our goal should be to live in such a way that others are drawn not to us, but to the Savior living within us.

Question #2: Do you have a passion to praise and serve Jesus?

Christianity was never meant to be a once-a-week activity.

It was never meant to be a religious checkbox.

It was never meant to be a routine without relationship.

Jesus gave everything for us. He carried our sins to the Cross, conquered death through His resurrection, and offers us eternal life. How can we not respond with passionate praise and wholehearted service?

Praise isn’t just singing songs on Sunday morning. Praise is thanking God when life is good. Praise is trusting Him when life is hard. Praise is lifting His name when the diagnosis comes, when the bills pile up, when the storm refuses to leave.

Service isn’t just what happens inside church walls. Service happens when we encourage someone who is hurting. It happens when we pray for others. It happens when we meet needs, show compassion, and become the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world.

The question isn’t whether we attend church.

The question is whether our hearts burn with a love for Jesus.

Do we wake up looking for opportunities to honor Him?

Do we seek ways to serve others in His name?

Do we long to know Him more deeply today than we did yesterday?

A Personal Reflection:

As I ask these questions of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I must also ask them of myself.

When people look at my life, do they see Jesus?

Am I living in a way that inspires others to draw closer to Him?

Do I still have a passion to praise Him through every season?

Do I still have a desire to serve Him with whatever time, talents, and opportunities He has given me?

These aren’t questions meant to bring condemnation. They are questions meant to bring reflection and renewal.

Perhaps today is a good day for all of us to pause and ask God to search our hearts.

May our lives be a testimony of His goodness.

May our words point people toward His truth.

May our actions reflect His love.

And may we never lose our passion to praise and serve the One who gave everything for us.

Lord, let my life be a reflection of You. Help me live in such a way that others see Jesus in me. Rekindle my passion to praise You, serve You, and follow You faithfully every day. Amen. ~OC

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When The White House Chooses The Main Event

On Sunday night, the White House lawn will host a UFC event as part of America’s 250th Birthday Celebration. 

For some, it will be entertainment.

For others, it will be a symbol of strength, toughness, and American culture.

For me, it represents something entirely different.

The White House has long been called “The People’s House.” Throughout American history, its grounds have hosted events that brought families together, celebrated achievement, honored service, and showcased the best of our nation.

The annual Easter Egg Roll has welcomed children and families to the South Lawn since  1878 under President Rutherford B. Hayes.

Presidents have hosted Independence Day celebrations filled with music, fireworks, and community.

President Lyndon Johnson transformed the lawn into an outdoor arts venue during the Festival of the Arts.

President Gerald Ford hosted Queen Elizabeth  for an elegant state dinner beneath a tent on the South Lawn.

The grounds have welcomed world leaders, served as the landing place for Marine One, and stood as a symbol of American leadership.

President Jimmy Carter even installed a temporary ice rink so Olympic champion Peggy Fleming could perform for guests.

President George W. Bush hosted T-ball games featuring children of active-duty military personnel.

Families.

Children.

Artists.

Athletes.

Public servants.

Moments that reflected dignity and community.

Now, the White House lawn welcomes the UFC.

That reality should cause us to ask an important question:

What are we choosing to celebrate?

The UFC has certainly become a massive business success. Millions watch its events. Millions more wager on the outcomes. The organization has produced many talented athletes who have worked hard to reach the highest levels of their sport.

But the UFC has also been surrounded by years of controversy involving domestic violence allegations, arrests, abuse accusations, and troubling behavior from some of its biggest stars.

The organization’s founder and CEO was caught on video striking his wife. Public outrage followed. Yet many quickly moved on.

Several fighters over the years have faced allegations or arrests involving domestic violence and abuse.

Yet tonight, this organization is being elevated to center stage on one of the most recognizable pieces of property in America.

As Christians, we should not merely ask whether something is popular.

We should ask whether it is worthy of celebration.

Popularity and righteousness are not the same thing.

The crowds that shouted “Hosanna” on Sunday shouted “Crucify Him” on Friday.

The Bible repeatedly reminds us that the values of God’s Kingdom often stand in direct opposition to the values of the world.

Jesus taught us to honor the peacemakers.

Jesus taught us to protect the vulnerable.

Jesus taught us that true greatness is found in humility and service.

Jesus never taught us to idolize aggression, celebrity, power, or wealth.

I already know many people will disagree with me.

Many will watch.

Many will cheer.

Many will place bets.

Many will celebrate the spectacle.

That is their choice.

But as for me, I cannot help but feel sadness that a place which has hosted children hunting Easter eggs, military families playing T-ball, artists sharing their gifts, and leaders gathering in diplomacy is now being used to showcase an organization whose history includes so many troubling examples of violence beyond the octagon.

Perhaps that says something about where our culture is today.

Perhaps it says something about what we reward.

Perhaps it says something about what we have become willing to overlook.

As Christians, our calling is not to blindly follow the crowd or celebrate whatever is trending.

Our calling is to seek God’s Kingdom first.

To honor what is good.

To defend what is right.

To stand for truth even when it is unpopular.

America’s 250th birthday should be an 

opportunity to celebrate the highest ideals of our nation: faith, family, service, sacrifice, character, and human dignity.

Instead, Sunday’s main event leaves me asking whether we have confused entertainment with virtue.

And that is a fight I have no interest in watching. ~OC

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When We Care More About Position Than Protection

Today’s a new day!

I know many people may disagree with what I am about to say, and that’s okay. Healthy disagreement is part of life and part of the Church. But I stand firmly by these words.

I care far more about the victims of abuse in our churches than I do about whether a woman teaches a Bible study, preaches a sermon, or stands behind a pulpit in a Southern Baptist Church—or any other church.

For years, countless hours, meetings, conferences, articles, and social media debates have focused on the role of women in ministry. Entire denominations have wrestled with the question. Churches have split over it. Christians have passionately argued both sides.

Yet while some believers are consumed with debates about who is allowed to speak from the platform, children, teenagers, and vulnerable adults have suffered abuse in churches that were supposed to be safe places.

That should break our hearts.

When Jesus walked this earth, He consistently placed people above power, compassion above control, and protection of the vulnerable above religious posturing. He reserved some of His strongest words for religious leaders who burdened others while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

I cannot help but wonder what Jesus thinks when churches spend more energy debating who can preach or teach than they spend ensuring children are protected.

I cannot help but wonder what He thinks when victims are ignored, silenced, questioned, or blamed while church leaders focus on preserving reputations and institutions.

The Church should be the safest place on earth for a child.

The safest place for a survivor.

The safest place for the wounded.

The safest place for those seeking healing.

And yet, too often, it has not been.

This is not a statement against theology. 

Theology matters. Scripture matters. Church governance matters. But if our theological discussions become more important than protecting people made in the image of God, something has gone terribly wrong.

If Christians are more concerned about a woman’s role in ministry than they are about children being abused, they have missed something essential in the teachings of Jesus.

If we can passionately argue about positions while remaining silent about victims, we need to examine our priorities.

If we are quicker to defend institutions than to defend the brokenhearted, we need to return to the heart of Christ.

Jesus welcomed children.

Jesus protected the vulnerable.

Jesus stood with the hurting.

Jesus confronted religious leaders who had lost sight of what mattered most.

The Church should do the same.

The world is watching how we respond. More importantly, survivors are watching.

They don’t need another debate.

They need safety.

They need accountability.

They need justice.

They need compassion.

They need to know that the Church values their well-being more than its reputation.

My prayer is that Christians of every denomination would become known not merely for what we believe, but for how fiercely we protect the vulnerable, how seriously we take abuse allegations, how compassionately we care for survivors, and how faithfully we reflect the heart of Jesus.

Because at the end of the day, protecting the vulnerable is not a political issue.

It is not a denominational issue.

It is not a conservative issue or a progressive issue.

It is a Jesus issue. ~OC

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A Free Press Matters

Today’s a new day!

When I was in high school, I had a dream. I wanted to be the next great sports journalist. I loved sports, but even more than the games themselves, I loved the stories behind them. I admired the journalists who traveled the country, asked tough questions, told inspiring stories, and brought fans closer to the athletes and teams they followed.

Journalism fascinated me because it was about more than reporting scores and statistics. It was about seeking the truth, telling the stories that needed to be told, and helping people stay informed.

That is why I find myself disappointed by the growing attacks on journalists that we see today.

No, journalists are not perfect. They are human beings, and like every profession, there are good ones and bad ones. Some make mistakes. Some have biases. But the answer to imperfect journalism is not to destroy journalism. The answer is to pursue better journalism.

Throughout history, journalists have played a critical role in holding powerful people accountable. They have uncovered corruption, exposed injustice, highlighted the struggles of ordinary people, and brought important issues into the public conversation. Many have risked their careers, their freedom, and even their lives to report the truth.

A healthy democracy depends on an informed citizenry. People cannot make wise decisions if they do not have access to information. They cannot hold leaders accountable if no one is asking questions. They cannot understand what is happening in their communities, their nation, or the world if there is no one reporting the facts.

That is why a free press is so important.

We may not always agree with what journalists write. We may disagree with their conclusions, perspectives, or reporting. But disagreement should never become hostility toward the very institution that helps keep citizens informed.

As Christians, we should be people who value truth. Scripture repeatedly calls us to walk in truth, speak truth, and seek truth. While journalists are not the source of truth itself, many faithfully work to uncover facts and bring important information into the light.

When I think back to my high school dream of becoming a sports journalist, I still have great respect for those who dedicate their lives to telling stories and informing the public. Their work matters.

A democracy without journalists is a democracy left in the dark.

We may not always like what we hear, but a society that values truth must also value those who seek to report it.

Let us encourage honesty, integrity, and accountability in journalism while recognizing the vital role a free press plays in preserving freedom. An informed people are better equipped to make wise decisions, engage in meaningful conversations, and help build a stronger future for the next generation. ~OC

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All-Time Low

The bar for character and respect among our politicians in America has been lowered so dramatically that it almost feels invisible. What once required integrity, humility, and a genuine sense of service now seems optional—so much so that you don’t even have to jump anymore to clear it. As Christians, this reality should not simply frustrate us; it should challenge us. Scripture reminds us in Philippians 4:8 to dwell on what is true, noble, right, pure, and admirable. When public leadership drifts from these values, it becomes even more important for believers to stand firmly in them, not just in what we expect from others, but in how we live our own lives.

It’s easy to point fingers at leaders and lament the cultural decline, but Jesus calls us to a higher standard. In Matthew 5:13–16, we are described as the salt and light of the world—preserving what is good and illuminating what is right. If the moral bar has fallen in politics, then the responsibility of Christians is not to lower our expectations, but to raise our witness. We are called to model respect, truthfulness, and grace in our conversations, even when others do not. Our hope is not in human leaders, but in God’s unchanging character. And through our daily actions, we can reflect His righteousness in a world that desperately needs it. ~OC

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Compromise For A Seat?

Today’s a new day! 

Dear Christian community, I believe it’s worth pausing to ask a difficult question: Is selling out your beliefs and character really worth it just to have a seat at the political table? In a culture that constantly pressures people to compromise for influence, relevance, or approval, the temptation is real. The promise is that if you soften your convictions or remain silent on difficult truths, you’ll gain access—more platforms, more recognition, more opportunities to be heard. But if the cost of that seat is your integrity, then the price is far higher than it first appears. A seat gained through compromise may look like influence, but it often becomes a quiet surrender of the very message that once made your voice meaningful. 

Historically, the Christian faith has never thrived because it blended comfortably with the surrounding culture. It grew because people were willing to stand firmly—even when it meant exclusion, criticism, or loss. When believers trade conviction for acceptance, the world may welcome them for a moment, but the power of their witness fades. Influence that requires silence about truth is not influence at all. The question is not whether Christians will have a seat at every table, but whether they will remain faithful to the One they claim to follow. 

Perhaps the better calling is this: rather than compromising to sit at someone else’s table, Christians should focus on living with such integrity, courage, and love that they build tables of their own—places where truth and grace can exist together without apology. Faithfulness may not always be popular, but it has always been the path that shapes character and leaves a lasting legacy. In the end, a clear conscience before God is worth far more than a temporary seat among people. ~OC

You can check out the Spoken Word version of this post at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

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Running Shouldn’t Be Deadly

Ahmaud Arbery

Today, I remember Ahmaud Arbery.

On this day in 2020, he was tragically murdered while out for a run. Even years later, that truth sits heavy on my heart.

As a former runner myself, this tragedy hit me in a deeply personal way. Running, for many of us, is sacred space. It’s the rhythm of your feet hitting the pavement before the world wakes up. It’s lungs burning in the cold air. It’s the quiet stretch of road where your thoughts finally settle into place. Like me, I’m sure Mr. Arbery loved the feel of a great run—the steady stride, the challenge of a hill, the satisfaction of pushing through when your legs want to quit.

Maybe he had a running playlist like I used to -songs that flip a switch inside you, that give you that extra motivation when the miles get long. Maybe certain lyrics helped him dig deeper, find another gear. Or maybe he preferred silence. Maybe his runs were his time to pray, to think about his day, to sort through life one step at a time.

Running is freedom. Or at least, it’s supposed to be.

The one visible difference between Mr. Arbery and myself was the color of our skin. I’m a white guy. In all my days as a runner, I never worried about being followed. I never worried about someone questioning why I was in a particular neighborhood. I never feared the police trailing me for no reason. I never considered that a routine jog could end in violence.

That’s a privilege I didn’t earn. It’s simply something I was born into because of the color of my skin. 

Today, I think about Mr. Arbery’s family and friends—the empty chair at the table, the birthdays that feel incomplete, the runs that now carry grief instead of joy. I pray that the love of God surrounds them in ways that bring comfort beyond understanding.

I also think about my brothers and sisters of color as they lace up their shoes and head out the door. Something as simple as a run should not require courage. It should not require vigilance. It should not require a mental calculation of safety.

And yet, for many, it does.

So today my prayer is simple:

Dear God, protect  my brothers and sisters of color.
Allow them to have a wonderful run.
Let the miles strengthen their bodies and clear their minds.
And bring them safely back home to their families.

May we build a world where every runner—no matter their skin color—can experience the road as it was meant to be: open, freeing, and safe. ~OC

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Beyond the Chaos

Today’s a new day! My heart breaks for America,

Turn on the news and all I see is chaos,

A country divided, fractured and torn.

I don’t care if you voted left, right, or somewhere in between,

If your heart’s not breaking for the hurt and pain we see,

You might need to check your pulse and see if you’re still alive.

We scream and we shout, we dig in our heels,

But the truth is, we’re dying, we’re losing our way.

We’re so busy building walls, we’re forgetting to build bridges,

We’re so busy pointing fingers, we’re forgetting to hold hands.

Dear God, please help America come together,

Put away our differences, and actually live

Like the United States of America.

Help us see the humanity in each other,

Help us hear the cries of the broken and the pain.

Help us love like You loved, with a love that’s radical and true,

A love that unites, a love that heals, a love that’s new.

We need a revival, a awakening,

A return to compassion, to empathy, to love.

We need to see each other, not as enemies, but as brothers and sisters,

United in our struggles, in our hopes, in our dreams.

Let’s rise up, let’s rise above,

The noise, the hate, the fear, the pride.

Let’s be the change, let’s be the love,

That America needs, that the world needs, that we all need today. ~OC

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A History Lesson

As we celebrate the 4th of July I have seen several post about immigration. I even posted one myself. And of course, several people had to comment about how those coming to America for a better opportunity better do it legally or go back to their home country. That got me to thinking. How many of our ancestors came to America legally over the years? So I did a little research.

When talking about immigration policy many people argue that immigrants coming to the United States should all have to enter the United States legally in order to obtain legal immigration status in the United States.Their argument goes something like this:  We cannot make any changes or exceptions in our immigration laws to allow for any type of “amnesty” because it would be unfair to our ancestors and all those who have immigrated legally to the United States over the years. My response to this argument is that you have to examine what the law actually was when you or your ancestors immigrated to the United States. Unless you are a Native American, everyone currently in the United States is either an immigrant or a descendant of a person who immigrated to the United States. 

When our ancestors came to the United States from countries around the world, they did not enter the United States “legally” or with any sort of visa. That’s because immigration laws were virtually non-existent in 1775, as America was still a colony of the United Kingdom. When most of our ancestors arrived at the different ports, they were likely not asked many questions or subjected to “extreme vetting.” They likely did not have visas or any permission to enter the colony. Under the Naturalization Act of 1790, as long as a person was a “free white person” of “good moral character” (who decided that one?) and they could prove that they had resided in the country for two years and had lived in the same residence for a year, they would be allowed to apply to become citizens. This is how most of our ancestors became citizens. Of course many people were brought to America against their will and in shackles. But today, those white ancestors would be considered “illegal aliens” upon arriving in the United States, and after being illegally in the United States for more than one year, would have to leave the country and come back legally through proper processing, with a waiver of the ten year bar. And only if they had a qualifying relative that petitioned for them.

The immigration laws in the United States have become much more restrictive and complicated, especially since 1996 with the passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. Plus the different restrictions that have been enacted since the Reform Act of 1996. So when people argue that their ancestors came to America legally, so current immigrants should as well, I challenge them to examine their family history to determine how their ancestors first came to America. Let us not forget our history. America was built on the backs of immigrants. Most of them here against their will. It’s not politicians who make America great, it’s the immigrants who have traveled far and wide and have endured dangerous situations that make America great. If it were not for so called “amnesty” our ancestors and the rest of our family descendants would not have been “legal” or allowed to become American citizens.

That’s your history for today. I encourage each of you to study history before making blanket statements. ~OC

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