Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Father’s Day! I want to take a moment to recognize you.

Thank you to all the men who have stepped up and embraced the responsibility of being a father. In a world that often celebrates self-interest and personal comfort, you have chosen sacrifice, commitment, and love. You have chosen to put the needs of others before your own, and that deserves to be honored.

Thank you for the early mornings, the late nights, the hard work, the prayers, the guidance, and the countless unseen sacrifices that come with raising children. Thank you for being present when it would have been easier to walk away. Thank you for choosing faithfulness when the road became difficult.

I also want to offer a special thank you to the men who are raising children who do not share their DNA. Biology may make someone a father, but love, commitment, and sacrifice make someone a dad. There are countless men who have opened their hearts and homes to children who needed someone to believe in them, protect them, encourage them, and love them. Your impact reaches far beyond what you may ever fully realize.

Throughout Scripture, we see examples of men who stepped up when God called them. Men like Joseph, who faithfully raised Jesus even though he was not his biological son, remind us that fatherhood is about far more than genetics. It is about obedience, character, and love.

Our world desperately needs godly fathers and father figures. We need men who are willing to lead with humility, love with compassion, stand for truth, and point the next generation toward Jesus. We need men who understand that true strength is not found in power or position, but in serving others.

To every father, stepfather, adoptive father, grandfather, foster father, mentor, coach, teacher, and father figure who has invested in the lives of children and young people: thank you. You are making a difference, even on the days when it may not feel like it.

Your words matter. Your example matters. Your prayers matter. Your presence matters.

Today, we celebrate you and thank God for you.

May the Lord continue to strengthen you, encourage you, and bless you as you fulfill the incredible calling He has placed on your life. May you continue to be a bright light in a world that often feels dark, showing the love of Christ through your actions, your character, and your faith.

Happy Father’s Day to all the men who have stepped up, stood firm, and loved well.

Thank you for making a difference. I pray you each have a wonderful Father’s Day. ~OC

The Church

Today’s a new day! We are the church scattered and sent out. Every believer is a missionary beautifully disguised as a teacher, business person, student, healthcare worker, journalist, first responder, mentor or parent. Be a difference maker wherever God has you planted. ~OC

“Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.” ~1 Corinthians 7:17

Celebrating All Women On Mother’s Day

Today we celebrate Mother’s Day. A day to thank moms for all they do for us. I am thankful to still have my mom with me, but my wife lost her amazing mom 18 years ago. Mother’s Day is still tough for her. I am sure others can relate to her experience.

Today is Sunday, so many will attend church this morning. Most churches will have some type of Mother’s Day celebration. Maybe they will pass out roses to all the moms. Maybe they will recognize all the moms by having them stand up. All great things. Moms are awesome. They should be celebrated. But what about those women who cannot have children? Or those women who have lost children? How about those women who decided not to have children? I think we have to be very sensitive in how we celebrate Mother’s Day. Today is a tough day for many.

Today, I encourage places of worship to celebrate all women. If you’re passing out roses, pass them out to all the women. I pray we take time to recognize every women who is a role model, mentor, or godmother to many in her circle of influence. They are making a significant difference in the lives of many. Not every women has the title of Mother, but that does not make their contributions any less important. So let’s celebrate all women today. ~OC

What is Greatness?

Today’s a new day! As I scroll through social media and tv, I see so many post about being the greatest. Is this athlete or that athlete The Greatest Of All Time (The G.O.A.T.)? Is that singer or that band the greatest of all time? All this got me to thinking about greatness. What does it really mean? So here are my thoughts about being great.

I think you become great by simply helping others. Sometimes you put yourself last so someone else can experience being first. What are you good at? Are you a cook? Maybe you could make your signature dish for a family that’s struggling. Are you a mechanic? Maybe you could help a single mom or dad get their car fixed. Are you a coach? Maybe you could volunteer your time coaching a local team. Are you retired and still wanting to stay active? Maybe you could become a mentor or help run errands for someone who is homebound. Maybe you’re a regular person who decides to buy a meal for a total stranger at a local restaurant. You do not have to be a millionaire or person of influence to make a difference.

Simply helping people makes you great. Even though that should never be the motivation. Living a life of service changes the lives around you. Doing the little things in life truly make a difference. They give people hope when all hope seems lost. They put a smile on someone’s face who hasn’t smiled in years. They encourage others to look for opportunities to help. To serve. What talents do you have in your hand? Go share them.

Jesus said: “What you do to the least of these…. you do unto me.” (Matthew 25:40).

“Love” is a verb… a doing word.
Think about that for a minute… then look around, find someone that needs a hand. Because we all do. ~OC

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑