Looking back on the memory of a run, all was right in my little part of the world. Lacing up my shoes and heading out the door. Most of my runs took place in the early morning. The moon still shining. Usually not another soul in sight. I could hear the sound of my breath and God speaking in my ear.
Oh, the runs we shared.
How could I have known this run would only last for a season and we would have to say goodbye. I could choose to look at the end of a beautiful season and what I have lost. But no, I will choose to look back and see all we accomplished along the run. The pain and the victories along the way. The thrill of being in a corral with others excited about the run ahead. My life is better off for taking a chance and being part of the run. ~OC
No Day Is Promised
Good morning. God laid this on my heart. The title is No Day is Promised.
As he wakes up his feet hit the floor, giving his Savior praise for another day. For him another day doesn’t come easy. Every breath is a struggle, but he keeps fighting. He takes one breath at a time and keeps praising his King. He is blessed with another day. Another opportunity for a miracle. No day is promised.
Sometimes when he shuffles down the halls of the hospital, he hears the enemy scream in his ears Dead Man Walking, Dead Man Walking. He refuses to listen to those lies. His body might be weak, but he is not finished fighting. His King has another day for the Man Who Refuses to Die. Another opportunity for a miracle. No day is promised.
Today The Man Who Refused to Die is living out his miracle. His breathing comes easier these days. He no longer is a Dead Man Walking. He keeps praising his King because he knows no day is promised. Today the Dead Man Walking is the Dead Man Running. ~OC
Aren’t You A Christian?
I thought you were a Christian, so…
How do you vote that way?
How come you hang out with those type of people?
How do you know rap lyrics? (Mostly 80’s rap).
How do you listen to non-Christian music?
What makes you struggle and questions today’s Church?
I thought you were a Christian, so…
How can you watch certain shows and movies?
How can you support those movements?
How do you not support certain political candidates or party?
Are you sure your a Christian?
OMG, YES.
I am a whole and imperfect Christian.
Has the church and its people forgotten what that means?
It means I need Jesus in every way possible, because I am a sinner.
It does not mean I have all the answers to life. It does not mean I have life figured out. It does not mean I suddenly like every Christian song or movie ever made.
It means one thing and one thing only:
I am a Christian because I love Jesus.
The truth is, I stray outside of the lines of American Christianity. I do not fit in a neat little perfectly wrapped box. I sometimes can be like that crazy relative we all have.
But that’s exactly what drove me to Jesus in the first place. His grace shines most in my shortcomings.
So if you see me trip up and get a little dirty, don’t assume that I have lost my way.
I am running toward Jesus, but it’s a long, long marathon. I am a Christian who desperately needs Christ.
So how do I respond when people question my faith? When they expect perfection from a deeply flawed individual?
Well, I keep loving Jesus, keep loving others, and keep leaning hard into Grace.
Because I know without a doubt I need Grace every day.
I love Jesus…but I refuse to live in that perfect little box. ~OC
Project Dead Man Running
Hello. If your church, small group, ministry, school or business would be interested in showing my documentary, please feel free to contact me. ~OC
http://www.projectdeadmanrunning.com
Official Documentary Trailer
Here is the official trailer from my upcoming documentary Dead Man Running-The Todd Shoemaker Story. ~OC
Growth Along the Journey
Today’s a new day! The journey God is leading us on may not always be the easiest route, but it is the one where we will experience the most growth. ~OC
Running to the King
I lace my shoes up, I hit the road
I’m ready to run
I’m not running from something, but to someone
That someone is Jesus, who keeps me running during this crazy beautiful journey
A journey that led me through storms and rough seas
A journey filled with pain
A journey that’s always trying to beat me down and steal my joy
But the enemy can’t steal my joy, can’t keep me down
I keep running I keep fighting
I keep holding on to the promises of God
In the Word every day
Lifting my prayers up to the King
I keep running, I keep fighting
Running to the King
I might bend but I won’t break
I will keep running to the King
I keep running I keep fighting
I will keep my eyes on the prize
I might bend but I won’t break
I keep running, I keep fighting
I will finish the race strong
Running to the King ~OC
Never Stop Praying
Never stop praying. My miracle took almost 18 years. During my crazy beautiful health journey, God never stopped loving me. He taught me so many lessons during my battle. God also shared many blessings in my life. The road was not easy, but I would never change the path.
If you are walking through a storm, I encourage you to keep praying. Keep believing in your Miracle. ~OC
Happy 2020!!!
Happy New Year everyone. As we move into a new year, my Facebook Lives will be hosted on my The Blessed Overcomer Facebook Page. I encourage everyone to follow me on that page. Some amazing plans are going to unfold this new year. I cannot wait to continue sharing the story God has given me with the world.
I pray everyone is excited about the possibilities 2020 will bring each of us. There will definitely be some challenges as we navigate this new year. I encourage you to hold on and reach out to God during those storms. But I believe 2020 is also going to be filled with Miracles, Healing and Revival. Are you excited? I am. Are you ready? I am. Let’s go! ~OC
A New Chapter
As many of you know, I experienced an incredible miracle on November 3,2019. After not being able to speak without the assistance of a voice amplifier and being on a feeding tube for several years, I experienced healing at a Prayer & Healing Encounter. I have not had to use my feeding tube or voice amplifier since that night. God is good!
I have shared before, that I used to be a long distance runner before getting sick again in 2009. I ran my last official race in March 2009. I literally have not run since that day. I have always had a desire to run again. I even buy new running shoes once a year, in anticipation of running again. Yesterday, I officially signed up for my first race in ten years. On March 21, 2020, I will be running a 5k. I guess I better buy those gold running shoes and start training. See you at the finish line. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 