Today’s a new day! We cannot pray in love and live in hate and still think we are worshipping God. ~OC
Bottom Line
Today’s a new day! We all need the love, forgiveness and grace of God because:
We fail,
We lie,
We hide things,
We get mad,
We gossip,
We’re impatient,
We’re not thankful,
We’re selfish,
We feel entitled,
We’re unloving,
We hold grudges
We refuse to forgive,
We’re greedy,
We think other peoples sin is worse than ours,
Bottom line: We all need love, forgiveness and grace. ~OC
New Book
Today’s a new day! The new book is out. Thanks for all the love and support. This book is 20 years in the making. The majority of the book was written from my hospital room on 4South at Good Samaritan Medical Center. A fun fact. I have written both of my books on my Apple iPhone. I continue to live a blessed life. ~OC
Keep Holding On
Today’s a new day! If you are currently in the middle of a storm, I want to share some good news with you. God is sitting in the boat with you. He has not left or forsaken you. God has the amazing power to calm the storm you are facing. He is not going to let the crashing waves tip your boat over. You may not be able to see the rainbow during the storm, but it’s coming. During times of darkness, I encourage you to continue leaning into the promises of God. The storms of life are preparing you for a testimony. The crashing waves are turning you into an Overcomer. So keep holding on and never give up. ~OC
Get to Living
Today’s a new day! As most of you know, I have spent the last 21 years fighting through this crazy beautiful health journey. I have learned a lot of lessons along the way. Here are a few things I will not be saying at the end of my journey.
*I wished I had lived life the way I wanted and not the life other people expected me to live. Have the courage to live the live designed just for you. Anything else is a waste of time.
*I wish I had the courage to express my feelings to loved ones. Please do not miss the opportunity to share your love and appreciation for those in your life.
*I wish I had stayed in touch with friends. During this health journey, I have made an effort to stay in touch with friends. Some friends have made the choice to move on, but thankful for those that have stuck around. Please never take friendships for granted.
*I wish I had chosen to be happy and take adventures. If you have followed Laura West Shoemaker and I, you know we love a great adventure. Do not wait for the right time to take an adventure. The right time is now. Get to living. ~OC
Take Action
Today’s a new day! This morning I woke up to news of another mass shooting in America. More innocent bloodshed. Of course, our elected officials shared their thoughts and prayers for the victims. But that’s not enough anymore. Where is the action behind those thoughts and prayers? If we truly want to see real change, we must look at reforming our current gun laws and putting more money towards mental health care. We must take action.
My faith has always taught me that we are the hands and feet of Jesus. In James 2:26 scripture shares “Faith without works is dead.” I am not dismissing the power of prayer. We must always pray. But I just know that there are times when we are waiting on God to act, and God is actually waiting on us to take action. When we get frustrated and cry out to God “Why don’t you do something?”, if we stop and listen closely, we might hear God softly whispering to us, “I did do something. I created you.”
But that doesn’t take anything away from the power of prayer. You know what I did this morning when I heard the news of another mass shooting in America? I prayed for the victims and community. I prayed for smarter gun laws. I prayed our elected leaders would do more than just offer their thoughts and prayers. It’s past time to take real action. ~OC
Drop Your Stones
Today’s a new day! With all the division in the world, it’s easy to throw stones at those we disagree with. My hope and prayer is we will learn to love and respect everyone God allows us to meet on this journey called life. I pray we will drop our life destroying stones.
Drop the stone of Hate.
Drop the stone of Fear.
Drop the stone of Division.
Drop the stone of Unforgiveness.
Drop the stone of Racism.
Drop the stone of Selfishness.
Drop the stone of Pride.
Drop the stone of Comparison.
Drop the stone of Political Parties.
Obviously I could add more, but I believe you get the point. Drop any stone that is distracting you from showing the love and peace of God. Blessings. ~OC
Two Choices
Today’s a new day! When we are facing a life storm we have two choices. We can choose to overcome the storms in our own wisdom and strength or we can humble ourselves before God and allow him to take over the situation. When we choose God we choose life. ~OC
The Old Is Made New
Today’s a new day! God has already set us free from our past. Today our identity is no longer connected to our past mistakes. Now our identity is connected to what God has done for us. You are now washed, set apart and made right. The old is made new. Walk in that truth. Live out that freedom. ~OC
God’s Promises
Today’s a new day! As we begin a new week, remember these promises.
God has a glorious destiny for your life.
Your current or past circumstance does not alter the fact that He has a plan for your life.
God gave you the right personality, talent, gift, passions, and designed you the way you are, with His purpose in mind and your destiny in mind.
God has a destiny for everyone, not just a select few. It is God’s desire for us to walk in it and that is why we are destined to overcome.
No storm can rob you of God’s destiny for your life.
God will use the storms in order to change us and redirect us. Sometimes we feel that we are being blown off course but in fact God is using the storm in order to put us on the right path.
Whatever you give to Jesus, he resurrects. Give Him all the broken pieces of your storm battered life and He will breathe new life into it. The storms may be strong but God is stronger.
Remember, you are an Overcomer.
Have a wonderful and blessed week. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 