Tag: Lessons

Hope

A person can live 40 days without food, three days without water, eight minutes without air, but only one second without Hope.

We all need hope. It’s what keeps us going when we walk through the storms of life. Hope is the encouragement of life. Hope is what gives us the belief that everything will work out. Hope is what gets us through when things did not work out the way we had hoped. Hope is what helps us take that next breath or next step. Sometimes when we fill drained and beaten up, the only thing that gets us through is hope.

Today I encourage you to spread Hope. Call a relative or friend today. Share a kind word with someone today. Send someone an encouraging text message today. What might take you seconds to type, could change the course of that person’s day. Step out of your comfort zone today and be a Hope Dealer. ~OC

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Walk in the Holy Spirit

Today’s a new day! When we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, we walk in a more victorious, fruitful life as a follower of Jesus. As we walk in the full power of the Holy Spirit, we will be more aware of the needs around us and how to respond to those needs. So by faith, I pray each of us receive and embrace a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit.

As I continue to learn more about the Holy Spirit, here are some things Jesus has brought to my heart and mind. I pray they will encourage you. Remember, we are all clumps of clay being molded daily by our loving Savior. Sometimes we will miss the mark. Don’t give up! Keep walking out the beautiful journey Jesus has for each of us. ~OC

1). Each day we have to make the choice to live a life of obedience to Jesus. Don’t beat yourself when you lack obedience. It’s a marathon; not a sprint.

2). Throughout the day, remember to ask Jesus to continuously fill you up with the Holy Spirit. Just like we need to fuel our bodies with food, we need to actively fuel our hearts and minds with the Holy Spirit.

3). Keep your eyes on Revival. As we continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit, revival will come.

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Gospel Over Politics

As I scroll through social media, I see some post from Christians talking about fighting until “Our Team” wins. That would be awesome if these folks were talking about God winning. Which of course He already has. No, sadly these post are about a political party. A party that would rather win than be United. My prayer is that these individuals would be more concerned about truly living out the Gospel and less concerned about a political party or candidate. ~OC

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Two Memories. Two Healings.

Two Memories. Two Healings. This morning I ran my 800 mile of 2020. My wife and I have experienced many ups and downs along our crazy beautiful journey. One of those ups was Laura Geddes Paez. Laura P. was more like a little sister to Laura and I. Laura P. and her wonderful husband René walked through many ups and downs with us. In turn, we walked through some major storms with them. I remember when Laura P. got sick, we declared that one day when our bodies recovered from the battles we were facing, we would run a marathon together. We were both looking forward to that day. Last November, I received my healing. Earlier this year, my dear friend received her healing. Not in the way we had hoped. No, my dear sister received the ultimate healing. No more pain or suffering. So when I run, I am not running alone. No, my dear friend Laura P. is running with me. ~OC

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A Sad Day

I wake up a little sad this morning. I also wake up this morning with one less friend. No, my friend did not pass away. Sadly, my friend disagreed with something I shared in a group last night. Instead of talking about it in person, this friend decided to question my faith and character in a text. This friend decided their opinions were more important than a friendship.

That is really why I am sad today. When did it become okay to kick a friend to the curb when you have different opinions? Unfortunately, I am hearing more and more stories like mine these days. I remember a time when two friends with opposing views, could have a wonderful conversation and still walk away friends. Most of the time better friends. Sadly, those days appear to be slipping away. Today, it has become Them vs. US. Guess what? There is only US. If we continue to walk in a Them vs. US mentality, we will continue live in a divided world.

For me, I will continue to love everyone; even when their opinion differs from mine. I will continue to embrace dialogue. I will continue to embrace different opinions. I will continue to embrace diversity. I promise, I will not kick you to the curb when we disagree. ~OC

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True Friendship

A few thoughts on True Friendship:

*True friends encourage you.
*True friends respect you.
*Tue friends support you.
*True friends stand by you.
*True friends reach out to you.

*True friends love you.
*True friends dance through the storms with you.

Obviously, this is just a small sample. Feel free to share your own list. ~OC

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Love Over Differences

The last few weeks, several Christian friends shared it was hard for them to pray for people they do not like. That could be a politician, athlete, entertainment or someone in the media. As I heard this several times, God gave me the following thought.

When Jesus met Judas Iscariot, he knew Judas would betray him. Did you catch that? Jesus knew this man who he called a friend, would betray him for thirty pieces of silver. Yet, Jesus still loved Judas. He even washed Judas feet at the last supper. That’s right! Jesus humbled himself and washed the feet of the man who would betray him. Jesus payed for Judas. Jesus loved Judas.

So will you choose to love and pray for that person who just rubs you the wrong way? Will you love and pray for that person who looks differently than you? Will you love and pray for that person who has a different opinion than you? Will you love and pray for that person who belongs to a different political party than you? Will you love and pray for that person who worships differently than you? I pray we will always choose love over our differences. ~OC

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Lean In…And Get Uncomfortable

As I scroll through social media and watch the news, I see a lot of pain and injustice in the African American community. I see my brothers and sisters hurting. It breaks my heart. At times it can seem overwhelming. I asked myself, how in the world can I make a difference? Can anybody relate? Even though I cannot do everything, I can do something. So, I have decided I will continue to stand up and do everything I can to help end racism in America. I will continue to lean in..,and get uncomfortable.

I will continue have real conversations about racism in America, with people wanting to truly make a difference in this world. Not just talk about the issues, but take real action. I will surround myself with others who want to fight the sin of racism. I will continue to get educated. I will continue to listen to my brothers and sisters of color, as they share their experiences. I will lean in..,and get uncomfortable. I will continue to take the time to see the pain of my brothers and sisters of color. I will not pass them by with a “I’ll pray for you.” No, I will stop and pray for them in that moment. I will not allow my brothers and sisters to walk through this unjust world alone. I will lean in…and get uncomfortable. I will continue to have uncomfortable conversations with my white brothers and sisters who believe racism is not a major problem in America today (That is a whole other blog). I will proudly stand up and say #Black Lives Matter. I will continue to challenge my white brothers and sisters to step out of their comfort zones, and sit down with people of color and truly listen to their life experiences. I will encourage them to study African American history and visit African American museums. I will continue to confront racism when I see it. I will continue to speak out against injustices even when it’s not popular. I will lean in…and get uncomfortable. I encourage you to join me. ~OC

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