Tag: Promises

Dear Christians, Please Stop the Hate

Dear Christians,

Please stop the hate.

We live in a world that desperately needs Jesus, but sometimes the loudest voices claiming to represent Him are not reflecting Him at all.

We talk about Jesus, but do we love like Jesus?

We quote Scripture, but do we live it?

We defend our beliefs, but do we remember the words Jesus actually spoke?

The red letters of the Bible call us to love our enemies, pray for those who hurt us, forgive, show mercy, care for the hurting, welcome the stranger, serve the least of these, and love our neighbors as ourselves.

That isn’t weakness.

That is Christianity.

Jesus didn’t tell us to win every argument. He told us to love one another.

He didn’t tell us to build walls around ourselves. He told us to go and make disciples.

He didn’t tell us to hate people who disagree with us. He showed us how to love people who were different from Him.

So, dear Christians, let’s stop using Jesus as a weapon and start following Jesus as our Savior.

Let’s put down the hate.

Let’s put down the outrage.

Let’s put down the judgment.

And let’s pick up love, grace, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and truth.

Don’t just wear the name Christian. Live like Christ.

The world doesn’t need more people shouting about Jesus.

The world needs more people who actually live like Jesus.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:35

Love like Jesus.
Serve like Jesus.
Forgive like Jesus.
Live like Jesus.

That’s what the red letters are calling us to do. ~OC

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Twenty Reasons to Get Out of Bed Every Day

Sometimes getting out of bed can be tough.

Can I get an amen?

As I have walked this crazy, beautiful health journey, I have learned a few lessons. I have learned that some mornings begin with pain. Some begin with exhaustion. Some begin with questions we don’t have answers for. And some mornings, simply putting your feet on the floor feels like an accomplishment.

But I’ve also learned something else:

As long as God gives us another day, there is still a reason to get up.

So, from someone who has learned to keep fighting, keep believing, and keep overcoming, here are 20 reasons to get out of bed every day:

1. Because you woke up.

Every new morning is a gift. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow isn’t promised. But today is here.

2. Because God isn’t finished with you.

If you’re still here, your story isn’t over. There is still purpose in your life.

3. Because someone needs you.

Your spouse, your children, your family, your friends, your church, your neighbor—or someone you haven’t even met yet.

4. Because there is still someone to love.

Love isn’t just something we receive. It’s something we give away.

5. Because there is still someone who needs encouragement.

Sometimes your simple “I’m praying for you” can change someone’s entire day.

6. Because your testimony matters.

Someone may be watching how you walk through your storm. Your scars may become someone else’s hope.

7. Because pain doesn’t get the final word.

Pain may be part of your story, but it doesn’t have to define your story.

8. Because there are still miracles to witness.

Sometimes miracles look like healing. Sometimes they look like strength to make it through another day.

9. Because you can still make a difference.

You don’t have to change the entire world. Sometimes changing one person’s world is enough.

10. Because tomorrow’s blessing may require today’s obedience.

You may not understand what God is doing today. Keep walking anyway.

11. Because there are still memories to make.

There are sunsets you haven’t seen, conversations you haven’t had, places you haven’t visited and moments you haven’t experienced.

12. Because laughter is still waiting for you.

Life can be incredibly hard, but there is still room for joy.

13. Because somebody needs to hear your story.

Never underestimate what God can do with a life that refuses to give up.

14. Because you are more than your circumstances.

Your diagnosis isn’t your identity. Your failures aren’t your identity. Your worst day isn’t your identity.

15. Because there is still work to do.

Maybe it’s big. Maybe it’s small. Maybe it’s simply loving the person standing beside you. It all matters.

16. Because hope is still alive.

Even when you can’t see the way forward, you can take the next step.

17. Because God can bring beauty from brokenness.

Some of the most beautiful things in life can grow from the hardest seasons.

18. Because someone else needs to see you keep going.

Your perseverance may give someone else permission to believe they can keep going too.

19. Because you haven’t seen the end of your story.

Don’t close the book while God is still writing the chapters.

20. Because Jesus is still with you.

Through the good days. Through the bad days. Through the pain, fear, uncertainty and exhaustion.

You are never walking alone.

So tomorrow morning, when getting out of bed feels impossible, start small.

Put your feet on the floor.

Take a breath.

Say a prayer.

And whisper:

“Lord, thank You for another day. I don’t know what today will bring, but I’m still here. I’m still fighting. I’m still believing. I’m still overcoming. Let’s see what You can do with this day.”

Then get up.

Not because every day will be easy.

But because every day is still worth living.

Keep fighting.
Keep believing.
Keep loving.
Keep overcoming.

And most importantly—

Keep Jesus at the center of it all.

Today is a new day.

Get up. God isn’t finished with you yet. ~OC

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Dear America, I’m Tired

I’M TIRED.

I’m tired of the lies.
I’m tired of the misinformation.
I’m tired of the arrogance.
And I’m tired of being told that everything is better when so many Americans are struggling to see it in their own lives.

As an American, I don’t want to blindly defend a political party or a president. I want to defend truth, accountability, freedom, and the people who call this country home.

The numbers matter.

Inflation is still putting pressure on American families. The latest BLS report shows consumer prices were up 3.4% over the previous year, while real average hourly earnings declined in August.

And we are now months into a war with Iran that has already cost tens of billions of dollars. A September Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only 25% of Americans considered the war worthwhile, while 82% expected the conflict to continue for an extended period.

That isn’t something we should simply accept because someone tells us it’s necessary.

Questioning our government isn’t being anti-American.

Demanding honesty isn’t being disloyal.

Wanting peace isn’t weakness.

And asking whether our leaders are actually making life better for ordinary Americans isn’t political extremism.

It is citizenship.

I don’t expect every American to agree with me. In fact, I believe disagreement is part of what makes our country work.

But I do expect us to demand more from those entrusted with enormous power.

Less arrogance.
Less propaganda.
Less division.
Less blaming.
Less pretending everything is perfect.

And more truth.
More humility.
More accountability.
More listening.
More diplomacy.
More concern for working families, veterans, children, seniors, and people who are simply trying to survive.

I don’t want America to fail.

Quite the opposite.

I want America to heal.

I want America to come together.

I want leaders who understand that serving the American people is a privilege—not a personal kingdom.

So I’m praying.

I’m praying for new beginnings.

I’m praying for real leadership.

I’m praying for wisdom in Washington and peace around the world.

And I’m praying that Americans—regardless of political party—will stop allowing politicians to convince us that we have to hate one another in order to love our country.

We can do better.

America can and must do better.

And I still believe there is hope.

God, give us leaders with wisdom, humility, courage, integrity, and a genuine heart for the people they serve. And give us the courage to demand nothing less. Amen. ~OC

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More Than A Cancer Support Group

Sometimes God brings people into our lives at the exact moment we need them most.

A Christian cancer support group may begin as a room full of strangers—people carrying different diagnoses, different stories, different fears, and different journeys. But somewhere along the way, something beautiful happens.

The group becomes a family.

We begin by sharing our stories, but eventually we begin sharing our lives. We learn each other’s names, celebrate the good news, sit together through the hard news, and remember the things that matter when someone else doesn’t have the strength to remember them.

We pray for one another.

Not just once, but again and again.

When someone is facing surgery, we pray.
When the scan results are coming, we pray.
When treatment becomes exhausting, we pray.
When fear creeps in, we pray.
When someone receives good news, we celebrate and thank God together.
And when someone doesn’t know what to say anymore, sometimes we simply sit beside them and remind them, “You don’t have to walk this road alone.”

Cancer can take a lot from a person, but it doesn’t have to take away hope.

There is something powerful about knowing that someone is lifting your name before God when you’re too tired to pray for yourself. There is strength in receiving a text that simply says, “I’m praying for you today.” There is comfort in knowing that when the road gets difficult, there are people who will walk beside you rather than walk away.

We may have met because of cancer, but cancer isn’t what defines this family.

Faith does.
Love does.
Prayer does.
Hope does.
Jesus does.

We hold each other up when someone is weak. We remind each other of God’s promises when circumstances become overwhelming. We cry together, laugh together, celebrate together, grieve together, and keep showing up for one another.

Because that’s what family does.

We don’t promise that the journey will always be easy. We don’t pretend that every prayer will be answered the way we hoped. But we can promise something just as important:

No one has to face the journey alone.

We will keep praying.
We will keep encouraging.
We will keep believing.
We will keep showing up.

And when one of us doesn’t have enough strength to stand, the rest of us will stand with them.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2

What started as a cancer support group has become something much more beautiful.

It has become family.

And family holds each other up.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, 

Thank You for bringing us together and for turning this group into a family of faith, love, encouragement, and prayer.

Thank You for every person here and for every story represented in this room. You know every diagnosis, every treatment, every fear, every unanswered question, and every prayer that has been whispered through tears.

Lord, give us strength when we are weak, peace when we are afraid, and hope when the road feels long. Surround each person with Your presence and remind us that we are never walking alone.

Help us to continue carrying one another’s burdens. Give us compassionate hearts, listening ears, encouraging words, and hands that are always willing to help. When one of us is discouraged, let the rest of us lift them up. When one of us rejoices, let us rejoice together. When one of us hurts, let us stand close and pray.

We ask for healing, comfort, wisdom for doctors and caregivers, strength for families, and peace that only You can provide.

Above all, help us keep our eyes on You. May our faith grow stronger through every season, and may our lives be a testimony of Your love and faithfulness.

Thank You for this family You have created among us. May we continue to love one another, pray for one another, and hold one another up until the day we see Your promises fulfilled.

In the precious,  powerful and matchless name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. ~OC

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What News Are Your Feet Bringing?

In the New Testament, there is a section of the book of Romans traditionally understood as a letter written by the apostle Paul to followers of Jesus gathered in house churches in first-century Rome.

Paul is talking about the importance of sharing the Gospel—the “good news.” And near the end of this section, he quotes the Old Testament prophet Isaiah:

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” ~Romans 10:15

Think about that for a moment.

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.

What a beautiful picture.

Paul wasn’t talking about beautiful shoes. He wasn’t talking about polished feet or perfect appearances. He was talking about people who carry good news with them wherever they go.

And I wonder:

What kind of news are my feet bringing?

What happens when I walk into a room?

What happens when I sit down beside someone who is hurting?

What happens when I encounter someone who sees the world differently than I do?

What happens when I open my phone and start typing?

Because our feet don’t just take us from one physical location to another.

In a very real sense, we carry something with us.

We carry our words.

We carry our attitudes.

We carry our encouragement—or our discouragement.

We carry compassion—or judgment.

We carry hope—or fear.

And today, we carry all of that into the world through our social-media feeds.

We live in an age where bad news is available 24 hours a day.

Another alarming headline.

Another disturbing video.

Another political argument.

Another tragedy.

Another outrage.

Another reason to be angry.

Another reason to be afraid.

Another reason to divide ourselves into “us” and “them.”

And yes, we should pay attention to what is happening in the world. Ignoring suffering doesn’t make it disappear. We should care about injustice. We should care about our communities. We should care about people who are hurting.

But there is something else we should remember:

We are not powerless.

Take away the trending stories.

Take away the alarming updates.

Take away the endless arguments.

Take away the disturbing realities that fill our screens.

We are still sentient human beings with choices to make.

We still have time.

We still have resources.

We still have energy.

We still have words.

We still have opportunities.

We still have people around us who need someone to remind them that they matter.

And we still get to decide what kind of news our feet bring.

Maybe the good news today is a phone call to someone who feels forgotten.

Maybe it’s buying groceries for a neighbor who is struggling.

Maybe it’s sitting quietly with someone who doesn’t need an answer—they just need someone to stay.

Maybe it’s forgiving someone.

Maybe it’s listening before responding.

Maybe it’s choosing not to share that inflammatory post.

Maybe it’s encouraging someone who is ready to give up.

Maybe it’s welcoming the person everyone else has overlooked.

Maybe it’s being kind to the cashier, the server, the stranger, the immigrant, the lonely neighbor, the person sitting alone at church, or the person who doesn’t believe what you believe.

Maybe the good news isn’t something we post.

Maybe it’s something we become.

Our world doesn’t need more people adding gasoline to every fire.

It needs people willing to carry water.

It needs people willing to walk into difficult places and bring compassion.

It needs people willing to speak truth without losing love.

It needs people willing to disagree without dehumanizing.

It needs people who can look at the person in front of them and remember:

There is a human being here.

And for those of us who follow Jesus, perhaps this is part of what it means to live out the Gospel.

Not merely talking about good news.

Bringing good news.

Not merely posting Scripture.

Living Scripture.

Not merely telling people that God loves them.

Showing them what love looks like.

Romans 10:15 asks us to imagine beautiful feet—the feet of people who carry good news into the world.

So before we ask what the world is bringing to us today, perhaps we should ask a different question:

What are we bringing to the world?

What news will our feet carry into our homes?

What news will they carry into our workplaces?

What news will they carry into our churches?

What news will they carry into our neighborhoods?

And what news will they carry onto our social-media pages?

We may not be able to control every headline.

We may not be able to fix every problem.

We may not be able to change the entire world.

But we can choose what we carry into the little corner of the world where God has placed us today.

So go.

Walk into someone’s darkness carrying a little light.

Walk into someone’s loneliness carrying companionship.

Walk into someone’s fear carrying courage.

Walk into someone’s grief carrying presence.

Walk into someone’s anger carrying peace.

Walk into someone’s hopelessness carrying hope.

And if you follow Jesus, carry His love with you.

Because perhaps the question isn’t simply whether our feet are beautiful.

Perhaps the real question is:

What kind of news are our feet carrying?

May our feet carry good news.

May our words carry grace.

May our hands carry compassion.

May our lives carry hope.

And may the people we encounter today be able to say:

“I am glad you showed up.” ~OC

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A Prayer For Healing

Dear Jesus,

Be near to the person walking through this cancer battle today. Give them strength when they feel weak, peace when they are afraid, and hope when the road feels too long.

We declare in faith that cancer does not have the final word—Jesus does. We speak life, healing, strength, and restoration over their body. We ask You to touch every cell, strengthen every organ, calm every fear, and bring healing where healing is needed.

Guide every doctor, nurse, treatment, and decision. Give wisdom to those providing care and courage to the one receiving it.

Lord, let Your healing power move through this body. Let every treatment accomplish what it is intended to do, and let there be strength where there has been weakness and renewed hope where there has been exhaustion.

We believe You are still the Healer. We believe miracles are still possible. We believe this battle is not the end of the story.

Surround them with Your presence and remind them that they never walk alone.

In the mighty, powerful and healing name of Jesus, Amen.

~OC

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I’m Curious

In a Facebook post, one of my friends poised the following questions.

The questions peaked my curiosity.

Can we act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God while serving under the banner of the American government?

Can we claim to be a nation founded on freedom while ignoring the freedom, dignity, and humanity of our neighbors?

Can we call ourselves a Christian nation while forgetting that Jesus never told us to love only the people who look like us, vote like us, worship like us, or were born where we were born?

Is our country poised to encourage us to love our neighbors as ourselves?

I’m curious.

Because Micah 6:8 doesn’t say:

Act justly when it’s politically convenient.

Love mercy when the person deserves it.

Walk humbly when everyone agrees with you.

It simply says:

“Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.”

And Jesus didn’t give us a list of exceptions when He said:

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Our allegiance to Jesus must always be greater than our allegiance to a political party, a government, an ideology, or even our own comfort.

America has laws.

America has leaders.

America has political parties.

But Jesus has disciples.

And disciples are called to something higher.

We are called to feed the hungry.

Welcome the stranger.

Defend the vulnerable.

Care for the forgotten.

Stand with the oppressed.

Speak truth when truth costs us something.

Love our enemies.

And treat every human being as someone created in the image of God.

So maybe the question isn’t simply:

“Is America doing enough?”

Maybe the harder question is:

“Am I?”

Am I loving my neighbor?

Am I showing mercy?

Am I pursuing justice?

Am I walking humbly?

Am I willing to speak when silence would be easier?

Am I willing to stand with people Jesus would have stood beside—even when standing there costs me friends, followers, comfort, or approval?

Because before I am an American…

I am a follower of Jesus.

And when the values of my government, my political party, or my culture collide with the teachings of Christ, I don’t get to rewrite Jesus.

I have to follow Him.

That’s not anti-American.

That’s discipleship.

Jesus first.
Neighbor second.
Politics somewhere far behind.

So yes…

I’m curious.

What would America look like if Christians actually took Jesus seriously?

Not just on Sunday.

Not just in our churches.

Not just when it benefits us.

But everywhere.

Maybe that’s where the real change begins. ~OC

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Dear Christian, Please Stand Up

Dear Christian, please stand up.

I think it’s time for Good Trouble and to start flipping some tables.

For too long we’ve confused being nice with being faithful. We’ve stayed seated. Stayed quiet. Stayed polite while the temple filled with money changers.

Jesus wasn’t crucified for being nice. He was crucified for flipping tables.

He walked into the house of God, saw exploitation, saw corruption, saw people using the name of God for profit and power, and He didn’t write a polite letter. He made a whip. He turned over tables. He drove it out. John 2:15.

John Lewis called it Good Trouble. Necessary trouble. The kind of trouble that says love is not passive. Love protects. Love confronts. Love refuses to look away.

So I’m asking you, brother and sister in Christ:

Stand up when it’s easier to sit down.
Speak up when it’s safer to stay silent.
Flip the table of injustice in your part of the world.
Flip the table of corruption in your church, your neighborhood and politics.
Flip the table of lies in our political system. Regardless of party affiliation.

We were never called to fit in with this world. We were called to shake it.

My Friend, it’s time. ~OC

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Our Neighbors Face

I BELIEVE THAT IN THE FACE OF EVERY NEIGHBOR, WE CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE FACE OF GOD.

Not just the neighbor who looks like us.

Not just the neighbor who agrees with us.

Not just the neighbor who votes like us, worships like us, speaks like us, or comes from the same place we do.

Every neighbor.

The hurting neighbor.
The lonely neighbor.
The immigrant neighbor.
The poor neighbor.
The forgotten neighbor.
The neighbor who is struggling.
The neighbor who doesn’t believe what we believe.

Jesus didn’t tell us to love only the people who were easy to love.

He said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Matthew 22:39

And when Jesus described the Good Samaritan, He shattered the walls people had built between “us” and “them.”

Maybe that’s the challenge for the Church today:

Stop looking for reasons to separate people and start looking for opportunities to love them.

Because every person we encounter is someone made in the image of God.

So before you judge them, see them.

Before you condemn them, listen to them.

Before you walk past them, love them.

Before you ask, “What do they deserve?”
ask, “What would Jesus do?”

Because sometimes the person standing in front of us isn’t an interruption to our ministry.

They ARE the ministry.

Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
— Matthew 25:40

So today, look a little closer.

You may discover that in the face of your neighbor…

you are seeing a glimpse of the face of God.

Love your neighbor.
See the person.
Serve the hurting.
Welcome the stranger.
Feed the hungry.
Lift the broken.
And let the world see Jesus through the way we love.

Because the Gospel isn’t just something we preach.

It’s something we live. ~OC

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Twenty-Five Years Later…We Remember

Today marks 25 years since September 11, 2001.

Twenty-five years.

And yet for those who lived through that day, it can still feel like yesterday.

We remember where we were.

We remember watching the first plane hit.

Then the second.

We remember the towers falling.

We remember the Pentagon.

We remember Flight 93.

We remember the confusion.

The fear.

The unanswered questions.

The phone calls.

The tears.

And the overwhelming realization that America had changed forever.

Before 9/11, we worried about ordinary things.

After 9/11, we looked at the sky differently.

We looked at airports differently.

We looked at strangers differently.

We hugged our families a little tighter.

We prayed a little harder.

And for a brief moment, something happened in America that we desperately need to remember.

We came together.

Political parties didn’t matter as much.

Arguments didn’t matter as much.

Our differences didn’t matter as much.

We were Americans.

We stood together.

We mourned together.

We prayed together.

We served together.

And we discovered an incredible truth:

When evil tries to divide us, love can still bring us together.

But 9/11 also taught us something else.

Freedom isn’t free.

Peace isn’t guaranteed.

Evil is real.

Life is fragile.

And tomorrow is never promised.

We learned that heroes don’t always wear uniforms.

Some ran toward the burning buildings while everyone else was running away.

Firefighters.

Police officers.

Paramedics.

First Responders.

Military personnel.

Flight attendants.

Ordinary citizens who made extraordinary choices.

Some gave their lives trying to save complete strangers.

That is courage.

Twenty-five years later, we should ask ourselves:

What have we learned?

Have we learned to love our neighbors?

Have we learned to appreciate the people sitting beside us?

Have we learned that hatred only creates more hatred?

Have we learned that our disagreements don’t have to make us enemies?

Have we learned that our time with the people we love is precious?

Have we learned that America is stronger when we stand together rather than tear one another apart?

Because here’s the uncomfortable truth:

We cannot change what happened on September 11, 2001.

But we can decide what September 11, 2001 will continue to teach us.

We can remember the innocent lives stolen.

We can honor the heroes who ran toward danger.

We can pray for the families who still carry empty chairs at their tables.

We can remember the survivors.

We can remember those who spent years battling the physical and emotional consequences of that day.

And we can refuse to allow hatred, division, bitterness and political tribalism to destroy the unity we discovered in the ashes.

Twenty-five years later, don’t just remember the buildings that fell.

Remember the people.

Remember the sacrifice.

Remember the courage.

Remember the unity.

Remember the prayers.

Remember the heroes.

Remember how quickly life can change.

And most importantly…

REMEMBER THAT WE ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT WE DO WITH THE LIFE WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN.

Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

The next breath isn’t guaranteed.

The next conversation isn’t guaranteed.

So call somebody.

Forgive somebody.

Hug your family.

Tell someone you love them.

Help somebody who is hurting.

Stand up for somebody who cannot stand for themselves.

And when the world tries to convince us that we have to hate one another because we disagree…

REFUSE.

We can remember September 11 without living in fear.

We can remember September 11 without surrendering to hatred.

We can remember September 11 by choosing courage over cowardice, love over hate, unity over division, and service over selfishness.

25 years later, we remember.

25 years later, we mourn.

25 years later, we honor.

25 years later, we still stand.

And may we never forget.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 — NEVER FORGET. 

God bless the families who lost loved ones.
God bless those who served.
God bless those who continue to carry the scars.
And God bless America. ~OC

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