Today’s a new day! No GPS will take us where Jesus wants to take us. Keep pressing forward. ~OC
GPS
Where Are You Running?
At some point in this journey called life, we will face a giant. That giant could be a health issue, a financial need, a career decision or a relationship struggle. These giants can hit us out of nowhere. Sometimes we want to wish our giants away. But we know we cannot just wish these giants away.
Each day these giants are staring you in the face. These giants just will not go away. Sometimes these giants can define us. These giants can overshadow all the great things going on in our lives.
The giants can turn a beautiful life into a hopeless and joyless existence. So what do most people do when facing giants? We usually run away from the giants in our lives.
Where are you running to? When Goliath was raising havoc over Israel, the people were running away from this giant. Except for one boy. When David showed up he had a different plan. He decided to face Goliath head on. No running away for David. No, David had a plan. He had a sling shot and five smooth stone. He only needed one. Most importantly, God was standing with David. God had prepared David to take Goliath down. David decided to run towards what everyone else was running from.
Are you running towards your giant or away from the giant in your life? Our journey is not about running away from our giants, but facing them head on. Maybe we do not have a sling shot and stone, but we have to have a plan. When we decide to run towards our giants, we must run with purpose.
After you decide to face your giants, make sure your running towards God. Only through him can we face and defeat our giants. Trust God with the giants in your life. He will give us the tools to defeat every giant that comes our way. God is our safe place. When we are facing our giants, putting our hope and trust in God is the only way. God will give us victory over every giant we face in life. Run towards that victory. ~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
My Weakness
Today’s a new day! My weakness makes room for God’s strength. In times that are tiring and uncertain, when I feel I have nothing left in the tank, He shows up and reminds me that there is indeed nothing I can do… and He offers me His strength… because it is more than enough to carry this weight. ~OC
My Journey As A Bucs Fan
Well my Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to the Super Bowl in Tampa. That’s right. The Bucs are the first team to ever play in a Super Bowl in their own stadium. A lot of folks are jumping on the bandwagon and I am okay with that. Me, I have been rooting for the Bucs since the very beginning in 1974.
That’s right, I started following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 24, 1974. That is the day the NFL awarded Tampa with a team. Wow, that was 46 years ago. I was born and raised in South Florida, but just never became a fan of the Miami Dolphins. No disrespect to the Dolphins or their fans. My grandfather was a huge fan and tried his best to make me a Dolphin fan. Heck, I even wore a Dolphins shirt for school pictures one time. But I could never get behind the team from Miami. Then that day in 1974 happened.
Once the NFL awarded the city of Tampa with a team, I was immediately onboard. Even though the Bucs did not start playing until the 1976 season, I was a fan. My parents even bought me a Tampa Bay Buccaneers shirt. Yes, I walked around proudly in my “Creamsicle” Bucs shirt.
After two long years, the 1976 NFL season finally started. Most people don’t remember that the Bucs were originally in the AFC West. I was so excited to see my Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally start playing. The Bucs were playing, but not winning. Tampa ended that first season 0-14. That’s right. A winless season. But I was not deterred. I still proudly wore my Bucs shirt, even though I was heckled by family and friends. I would not give up on my favorite NFL team. I was all in.
My journey as Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan has been a roller coaster. I remember fondly my Bucs winning their first regular season game against the New Orleans Saints in 1977. Oh what a day! Finally able to celebrate a win. Then celebrating a playoff berth in 1979. Then celebrating a Super Bowl victory in 2002. So many great memories.
In 2021, my Bucs are back in the Super Bowl. A lot of people are jumping on the bandwagon. But I have no hate for those bandwagon fans. Welcome aboard! I hope you will truly fall in love with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers like I did, as a child back in 1974. Go Bucs! ~OC
I Am
As I was on my morning walk, these words came to me:
I am a white man. I bleed red.
My brothers and sisters of color bleed red.
I am a white man. I love to pray.
My brothers and sisters of color love to pray.
I am a white man. I love my family and friends
My brothers and sisters of color love their family and friends.
I am a white man. I love to laugh and cry.
My brothers and sisters of color love to laugh and cry.
I am a white man. I love to praise God.
My brothers and sisters of color love to praise God.
I am a white man. I want the best for my family and friends.
My bothers and sisters of color want the best for their family and friends.
I am a white man. I love to read and listen to music.
My brothers and sisters of color love to read and listen to music.
I am a white man. I love great conversation.
My brothers and sisters of color love great conversation.
I am a white man. I have the right to share my opinions.
My brothers and sisters of color have the right to share their opinions.
I am a white man. I love diversity.
My brothers and sisters of color love diversity.
I am a white man. I reach out with love to my brothers and sisters of color. I am blessed that my brothers and sisters of color have always reached back with open arms and love.
Why did I share this blogpost? Because We have more in common than we have differences. There is no Them. There is only Us. As a world we are better Together. Celebrate Diversity. ~OC
Never, Never Give Up
At some point during our various journeys we get to a point where we feel like giving up. Sometimes we give up before we even start and other times we give up just before that big break-through.
Here is a list of reasons why we should never give up. I hope it encourages someone.
You Have Purpose: As long as your alive you have purpose. Sometimes the storm you’re going through is preparing you for your purpose. I can honestly say my health journey gave me real purpose in life.
You Are Strong: You are so much stronger than you think. Don’t allow a setback to stop you from achieving all that God has in store for you. I would have never completed all my marathons, if I had given up when my body and mind said stop.
Your Family and Friends: Let those close to you be your inspiration and motivation to keep pushing forward. My wife, family and friends encourage me to keep fighting.
There Are People Worse Off: Right now people are dealing with storms we could never imagine going through. When you are going through a tough time, think about that family member or friend that is pushing through a storm and not giving up.
Improve Your World: Use your life to make a difference where God has you planted. God has allowed me to be a Missionary at doctors offices and hospitals. To be an Encourager.
Ignore The Haters: You will encounter haters during your journey. That’s just life. Some people just enjoy tearing down others. Don’t allow them to rent space in your life. Keep being you.
Reach Out to Others: We cannot do life alone. Please don’t try. When the storms are raging, reach out for help. I am always here to help anyone I can.
Inspire Others: Be an inspiration by never giving up. The journey might not be easy, but it’s worth fighting through the tough times. You never know how your story of overcoming, might encourage someone else not to give up. ~OC
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.
Two Photos. Two Stories. One Miracle
Two Stories. One Miracle.
My wife and I spent 2019 making memories. Most of my medical team thought I would not make it through the year. I was down to 112 pounds, was on a feeding tube and could not speak without the assistance of a voice amplifier. Laura and I never gave up. We continued to pray for and believe in a miracle. That was the only way I would make it through 2019. But we never gave up hope.
This morning 10/31/20, I ran my 1.000th mile of 2020. I was surrounded by family and friends. As I completed the final steps of this incredible journey, I thought about the guy in that first photo. I thought about my amazing bride who has walked this crazy beautiful journey with me. I thought about everyone who has prayed for me the past 18 years. I thought about my amazing medical team. Shout out to 4South at Good Samaritan Medical Center. I thought about all the incredible people I have been blessed to meet over the years. I thought about those who have experienced the ultimate healing over the last 18 years. I thought back to 11/3/19, when I experienced my beautiful miracle. When I started running last December after my miracle, 1,000 miles in 2020 was not even on my radar. What a journey it has been.
What’s the future hold? Well, I will take the rest of 2020 off from running. In the past week, I found out I have a stress fracture in my lower left leg and a strained calf muscle on my right leg. With that said, I would do it all over again. So, I will spend the rest of the year resting and allowing my body to heal. Watch out 2021! ~OC
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
The Blessed Overcomer 