Tag: love

What Is A Good Friend?

Today’s a new day! As we celebrate this Christmas season, hopefully we will be surrounded by good friends. Which begs the question, What is a good friend?

We all have heard the saying “You don’t know who your true friends are until life smacks you in the face.” True friends will reveal themselves during the storms of life.

As I have traveled my crazy beautiful health journey, I have been blessed with a few friends who have never left the boat. Friends who have truly went to battle with me.

Here are a few lessons I have learned about holding on to the real, ride or die friendships.

First, who are the true friends sitting in the boat with you during the toughest times? Take time to think back on the worst times in your life and who are the friends that never left your side? Also think about those friends you expected to be by your side, but ultimately they were not. Do not spend too much time dwelling on those friends. Let it go.

Second, think back on those true friends who have walked through the fire with you. Give those friendships the time and nurturing they deserve. Embrace them. I love 1 Thessalonians 5:11 which states “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” Are we doing this?

Third, never take those true friendships for granted. Sadly, too many people take friendships for granted. True friendships are a beautiful gift from God. He designed each of us for relationship. Never overlook the importance of genuine friendship.

When you find God-ordained relationships hold on to them. Embrace them. Treasure those friends who treasure you. Build into those friendships that will bring enrichment to both parties.

Have you been blessed with real ride or die friendships? If so let them know. Give thanks for each of them. ~OC

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Intimacy with God

Today’s a new day! As I have struggled with chronic health issues for 21 years, I have experienced a beautiful and ever deepening relationship with God. He’s constantly pouring out His love over me, and God is continuously speaking to me. Even though my health journey has not been an easy one, God has never felt distant. Even in the toughest moments, He has felt close like a warm blanket on a cold night.

I know for some people that has not always been their experience. They have had moments of feeling distant from God. While we should not let our emotions dictate our faith, if He consistently feels distant, we should question why.

I would like to share one of the greatest gift a person facing chronic health issues can experience during the trying times- intimacy with God. If you’re currently walking through a season of chronic illness, you can experience an ever-growing closeness with God during the toughest and most painful days. Here are some questions I have pondered over the years.

  1. Are you currently experiencing true intimacy with God?
  2. During your health battle when have you felt closet to God?
  3. How often in your journey have you compared your interaction with God to how He interacts with, responds to, or guides someone else?
  4. What are some ways you can intentionally draw close to God?
  5. Do you struggle with feeling as if you should do or be more as a Christian?
  6. Have you unknowingly slipped into a works-based relationship with God?
  7. In what ways is God using your current struggles to draw you closer to Him?
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Promises

Today’s a new day! Even during the toughest moments in life, scripture tells us God will never leave or forsake us. That is a wonderful promise to hold on to. 

During the hardest moments, God gives us peace and comfort. He is the God of new beginnings. Nothing is impossible with the King of Kings. Whether your at the beginning of this journey called life or your somewhere in the middle, you can trust in Him because with God it’s always just the beginning.

Today, you might find yourself in the middle of a storm that forces you to start all over again. Perhaps the loss of a relationship, a financial setback, a health battle or whatever might force you to begin all over again. Maybe just maybe that storm is the beginning of something new. Putting our trust in God during difficult times forces us to seek His guidance, and put our cares at His feet.

Trusting God through uncharted waters takes faith and courage, but believe me it’s worth the effort. The path God has chosen for us leads to true happiness, true peace and true joy. What a beautiful promise to cling to. ~OC

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31

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Resiliency

Today’s a new day! Nothing is wasted by God and that through all things, God is working for the good of those who love Jesus and for His ultimate glory. If we truly lean into the truth of God’s word, there is not a single circumstance that happens outside of the sovereignty of God’s authority and if it is not outside of His authority, it is being used by Him for our good and for His Glory. Resiliency.

Cancer, Parkinson’s, Myasthenia Gravis, Gastroparesis, Covid Long Hauler’s all under God’s authority. All the storms of life under His authority. As I have walked through the above health issues, I have chosen to totally put my trust in God. Leaning into the amazing truth, that God has used every health issue I have faced and am currently facing for His glory. I want to be in the middle of everything God is doing in my life. Because if it’s for His Glory, it is inherently for my good. If it is for my good, I can keep persevering through the tough moments. That is resilience. Course correcting through the storms of life, through hardships, through trial after trail … being brought back to the foot of the Cross with the truth that it is all for His Glory and my good. Resiliency. ~OC

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Thanksgiving Prayer

Good morning on this Thanksgiving Week. God put this prayer on my heart. I pray it blesses and challenges all of us. I also pray everyone has a beautiful, safe and blessed Thanksgiving. ~OC

Dear God, teach us to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all our daily experiences through this journey called life. Teach us to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks in all our circumstances. We accept them as Your will for our lives (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We long to bring pleasure to Your heart daily. Break the power of the enemy in our life. Defeat him through our sacrifice of praise. Change our outlook and attitude into one of joyful contentment with our present circumstances. We thank You for walking with us through our toughest storms. Jesus, we want to be like You who obeyed the Father without complaint. You embraced the chains of humanity when You walked this earth. Convict us whenever we complain or compare ourselves with others. Give us Your attitude of humility and thankful acceptance. We want to be like the Apostle Paul who learned contentment in every circumstance. We choose to continually offer You a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that give praise to Your name (Hebrews 13:15). We long to bring a smile to Your face. Teach us the power of a thankful heart. We know that Your truth dwells in a thankful heart. Amen.

I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. ~Psalm 7:17

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Dear Jesus

Today’s a new day! Dear Jesus, I’m writing this letter to you
Cause’ I’m thankful for your love
Thankful for your grace
I’m sitting here
Leaning into your promises
Simply thankful for your forgiveness
Thankful for the purpose you’ve given my life
I never want to be the person I used to be
Thanks for guiding my life and showing me the Way
Thanks for meeting my needs
Thanks for showing me who I am in You
When I was at the end of the road, you took my hand and pulled me out of the darkness
Thanks for Your strength in my time of weakness
Thanks for always believing in me
As I reflect back, I thank you for conducting this symphony called life
You have gifted me
The road has not been easy, but You have never missed a beat
Thanks for showing me the Way
Thanks for Your amazing grace
Keep letting me run the race ~OC

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Walk In Freedom

Today’s a new day! It’s time to start living out our faith. Not on our own power but in God’s strength and His grace. To walk in true freedom. When we are walking in freedom, we are able to experience all that God has for our lives. Then we are not slaves to sin or other people’s opinions. We can truly live and love like Jesus because it really is Jesus living and loving through us.

Why do God’s people choose not to walk in His freedom? We toss it aside like an old piece of clothing most of the time. Somehow, we think this precious freedom would make us boring and unattractive to the world. When in reality, living in God’s freedom makes us full of hope, love and grace. When we are filled with the freedom of Jesus, we are truly receptive to God’s calling and blessings. Walking in true freedom changes everything. Think about that for a moment. Walking in the true freedom of Jesus, frees us from struggling to be enough or do enough. We no longer need to “fit in.”All that is possible when walking in the freedom of Jesus. How exciting!! I pray you will choose to walk in true freedom. Nothing less will do. ~OC

Dear God,Thank you for sending Jesus to break us free from all of the strongholds of this world. To free us from death and destruction.Forgive us for not walking in true freedom,especially because you’ve even provided strength and power to do so in Jesus.Stir up in us a real desire to walk in true freedom.Show us what that really means,let us experience everything free in you.Live with us, walk with us, talk with us, stay with us and guide us. Thank you, Lord. We love you. In Jesus name. Amen

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Overcoming

Today’s a new day! Whatever has power over you is becoming powerless. Chains are being broken. Strongholds released. God is freeing you, so you can experience His peace, love, healing and purpose in every area of your your life. ~OC

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Selfless Love on 9/11

Today, we remember that Tuesday morning twenty-two years ago. Hard to believe, it has been twenty-two years since we watched in horror as the tragedies of that day unfolded. There was a lot of hate perpetrated that day. Hate that not only changed the lives of many families, but the life of a nation. But as we reflect back on that Tuesday morning, I hope we will remember there was a lot of love happening that day.

The Man In The Red Bandana: Welles Crowther, a 24-year old equities trader is credited with helping at least a dozen people get out of the South Tower of the World Trade Center. This young man gave his life helping complete strangers.

Let’s Roll: A group of strangers came together to take back United Flight 93, preventing further mass destruction.

Put Back On The Uniform: Retired US Marines, Jason Thomas and David Karnes were complete strangers at the beginning of that Tuesday in September. But as they watched in horror what was transpiring at the World Trade Center, they put their uniforms back on and headed into the chaos. They are credited with saving two survivors.

More Than a Tour Guide: Army Specialist Beau Doboszenski was working as a tour guide at the Pentagon on 9/11. He gave medical aid to the injured outside and rushed into the Pentagon to help others trapped inside.

These are just a few stories of heroism from that Tuesday in September. As we remember and pay respect to all the victims of the 9/11 tragedy, let us not forget there was a lot of selfless love happening on that tragic day. ~OC

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Dear God,

Today’s a new day! Dear God, we come before You humbly with our hearts full of thanksgiving and praise. As we come before You, we cast all our worries, cares, and anxieties upon You because You care for us. Lord, we thank You for life. We thank You for Your grace, love, and mercy toward us and others. We are grateful for all that You have done for us and for all that You are about to do in our lives. Lord, You are our eternal rock. Lord, we are grateful that You will keep us in perfect peace because we trust in You. In the name of Jesus, we declare that worry has no hold over us. We break every chain of fear and anxiety, knowing that your perfect love cast out all our fear. We humbly declare Your promises over our lives, and the lives of our loved ones, believing that your plans for us are good and filled with hope. In the name of Jesus, we rebuke every negative thought that tries to steal our peace and we replace them with the truth of your word. We humbly declare that we are protected by your mighty hand and that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. In the name of Jesus, we break every negative stronghold over our lives. Lord, we declare Your authority over all sickness and disease. By the mighty hands of Jesus, we are healed, and we stand on the promises of your word. We pray all this in Jesus Name. Amen. ~OC

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