Tag: Purpose

Some Lessons Learned Along the Way….

Today’s a new day! As I have walked this crazy beautiful health journey, I have learned many lessons. Here are just a couple:

*Caregivers have the toughest job. As a patient, I have a game plan laid out and designed by my medical team. There is really no playbook for the caregivers. Each day is a new experience for them. So if you have a friend or loved one who is a caregiver, please check on them. Offer to help in any way you can.

*Every patient has a starting point and an ending point. Of course, the starting point is the day of the diagnosis and the endpoint is the day the patient takes their last breath. But the adventures, laughs, tears and memories in between those two dates are what everyone will remember. Make the choice to truly embrace every moment of this crazy beautiful health journey. ~OC

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A Good Day!

Today’s a new day! At the end of the day, if I can say I encouraged someone, made someone think, served someone and made life just a little better for someone else, I can say it was a good day. Make the most of your day. ~OC

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Embracing Our Differences

Today’s a new day!

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” ~1 Corinthians 12:12 

I love hearing people’s stories. I love hearing what God is stirring in their hearts, and talking to them about God’s beautifully thought-out and purposeful design for them as individuals. I love the realization people have when God reveals this to them. We are all unique and different. How exciting is that! However, lately I have really been thinking more about this as it pertains to those in the Christian community.

How many Christians really take the time to think about diversity? Just for a moment, I want you to take some time, look around and asked yourself is my life full of diversity or not? If so, great. If not, ask yourself why not? Because a world filled with diversity is truly beautiful. A life full of diversity is a beautiful mosaic of amazing colors, gifts and talents. Throughout 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul talks about the many spiritual gifts that we have been given by the Holy Spirit. These gifts all vary person to person. My gifts and personality are not the exact same as yours. We are all different and we were made like this on purpose for a purpose. God did not create us all to be the same old boring carbon copies of each other. Praise God! Nor should we strive to be like each other. We should be living out who God called us to be and strive to be like Jesus. Together, we have unity in Jesus Christ.

Even so, our flawed human nature wants things our own way. A lot of times we see our differences, and they cause pain and dissension. But, is that really what God intended? Did God design us to be different and then fight one another to make the other fall in line behind us? No! We should not be calling for everyone else to be like us, we should be calling on Jesus to show us, together in unity, the way we should move forward. Together we can find a better way. Two minds are greater than one. Our differences make us stronger. Not weaker.

As Believers, we have a great opportunity to approach our differences and conflicts in a God-honoring way. Here are some lessons I have learned over the years. 1). To recognize that people are invaluable. They are children of God. He created them with love and intentionality. 2) To recognize that people might see things differently than I do, so I want to understand and see how they see. 3). To look to God and pray for wisdom. How do we move forward towards a common good for all? What is God’s best for this situation? 

There will be times that we’re in a tough spot and can’t see eye to eye, that might be a bigger discussion for another time. We cannot take control or responsibility for other people’s actions. However, we can control and take responsibility for how we approach the differences. 

Reflection:

Think about your current circumstances: What conflicts are currently in front of you?  Are you approaching them in a Godly way?  If not, what steps can you take to change your perspective, conversations, and actions?

Prayer:

God, we are incredibly thankful that you have created each of us uniquely and perfectly in your own image. We praise you today, that we have brothers and sisters who think and see the world differently, because together we are stronger. Help us to see this truth in every situation and conversation. We pray for your wisdom, your guidance, and your grace – that our words and actions are a reflection of who you are and what you have already done for us in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. ~OC

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In the Boat

Today’s a new day! At one point during my beautiful life, my friendship list looked like a big cruise ship. Many people laughing and having fun. Life was great. Then I got sick and the boat began to get smaller. Of course that was tough to endure, but God gave me peace.

Then I experienced a beautiful miracle and all of the sudden the boat started getting bigger, but most of the relationships were not real. They were based on what God had done in my life. People cared more about the miracle than they did about me. Once again tough to endure, but God guided me through this trial. He even told me on a walk one early morning, that my inner circle would get even smaller. There would be fewer people sitting in my boat. This did not scare me. It actually gave me great peace.

Then a few months ago, I was diagnosed with dementia and more friends jumped off the boat. This time I was prepared for it. Less phone calls checking in or returning my calls or text. God had clearly prepared me for this time. That does not mean there was not some pain and disappointment. It hurt. Thankfully God continues to carry me through this season.

As I continue to walk through this crazy beautiful journey called life, I cling to the friends who have decided to stay in the boat with me. The ones who actually reach out to me without any prompting and reassure me they are never leaving the boat regardless of how big the waves get. We will endure together. How blessed I am to have these people in the boat with me. Beautiful bright lights to travel with on this beautiful symphony called life. It brings me great encouragement as I move through the different seasons of life.

As I wrote the words above, I realized I have never needed rescuing from the boat. God has always been in the boat with me. He has never thought about abandoning me. Once again, I am thankful for those God has chosen to ride the waves with me in the boat. But more importantly, my hope and peace comes from God who created the boat and me. The One who can calm the raging seas with just a whisper.

As you walk through the storms of life, look around and see who’s still in the boat with you. When you find them cherish them. Never take your tribe for granted. During the storms of life, learn to sit in the boat with others. Embrace those in the boat. Encourage those in the boat. Empower those in the boat. Live life together in the boat. ~OC

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Game Plan

Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I thought I would share my game plan with you. Hopefully you will find some takeaways to apply to your own journey.

1. Recognizing that so many of our battles are waged in the mind, I chose to focus on God who is all-powerful and compassionate. The Bible tells me that God’s Name is El Elyon, God Most High, and that nothing can come into my life that is not first filtered through the fingers of God’s love. God knew before the foundation of the world that I would be here in this moment dealing with multiple life threatening health issues and he already provided the resources I would need to face it. God’s plan for me in every trial of every size is that I experience peace and victory, never defeat.

2. I chose to view this journey as a gift. Granted, it’s like expecting the newest and hottest new toy for Christmas and getting a pair of socks, but it’s still a gift. This is the time to draw near to God, to experience God more fully, to enjoy the simple joys of life, to focus on those things that are truly important. I will thank God every day for the gift of my health journey.

3. Although my health battle wants to be an all-encompassing issue in my life, I refuse to sink within myself. I will continue to reach out to people each day with a text, word of encouragement, act of service or prayer.

4. I will not ignore my emotions, which can be all over the place. I will allow myself to reflect as necessary in order to express my feelings, but I will not be ruled by them.

5. I will share what is happening to me with others and enlist their support and prayers. I cannot run this journey alone, and I will not rob others of the blessing they can receive by running with me.

6. I will make both short-term and long-term goals in order to have something in the future to look forward to. For example, I plan on continuing to make beautiful memories with my bride. I will continue to share my journey on this blog. I will continue to learn and experience new things in life.

7. I will find a reason to laugh and make my bride laugh every day. Laura and I have used humor (sometimes dark) to get us through the toughest moments of this journey.

8. I will remind myself that, in some inexplicable way, the manner in which I conduct myself during this crazy beautiful health journey, does indeed impact the lives around me. The book of Job tells us that humans sometimes get caught up in the battle between God and the enemy. Jesus Himself told His disciples upon their completion of a missionary journey, that God had seen Satan fall from heaven as a result of their actions.

9. I will endeavor to keep my life as “normal” as possible. I will continue my every-day activities as long as I am physically and mentally able. This will afford me the comfort of the predictable and common aspects of life as well as helping me not to slide into introspection and self-pity.

10. I will continue to praise, serve and thank Jesus for every moment of this journey. It has not been an easy one, but it has been filled with amazing lessons, experiences and memories.

Dear friends, I am praying for you. I am asking that you will be “sincere and blameless” (Philippians 1:10). The word “sincere” is a Greek word that grew out of a poor practice in the marketplace of the day. Everyone in that day used pottery for many tasks like we use plastic today. It was important that the pots be well made. Most were, but there were some unscrupulous pottery makers who would find a pot with cracks in it. Rather than discarding it, they would fill the crack with wax to cover it up. This would work as long as the pot sold early in the day. But after a longer time of sitting out in the hot Middle Eastern sun, the wax would melt and the cracks would show. The Apostle Paul prayed that the Philippians would avoid this by being sincere or “sun-tested.” May you, as you face the heat and pressures of this world, find yourself to be, by His grace, without wax. Blessings. ~OC

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I Choose

Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I will strive to live out the following:

I will choose to stay in touch with friends

I will choose every day to be a better person

I will choose to be happy

I will choose to share hope and love

I will choose to look for the good in people

I will choose to forgive and share grace

I will choose to speak out against injustice

I will choose to encourage others

I will choose to have the courage to express my thoughts and feelings

I will choose to have the courage to truly live out the life I was created to live, not the life others except from me.

I will choose to begin and end every day with praise, prayer and thanksgiving. ~OC

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“Evangelicals”

Today’s a new day! We see the word “evangelical” all over social media and the news these days. But what does this word really mean? The word “Evangelical” comes from the Greek word “euanggelion” which means “Gospel” or “Good News.” The aim of Christians, including myself, is to spread the Good News of love, forgiveness and salvation in the name of Jesus Christ.

Sadly today, the word “evangelical” has taken on a negative meaning to many around the world, because people recognized as “evangelical” have supported a man for president who clearly does not represent the teachings of Jesus Christ. This man is known for his lies about winning the last election, when he was shown many times that he did not win. He is known for his lack of respect and demeaning language for others, both opponents and previous supporters.

The most dangerous aspect of this man’s words is his threats to take revenge on his opponents and concentrate power in himself. He is certainly not the kind of person we want as an example for young people or anyone to follow as leader of our beautiful and imperfect nation. It is very difficult to think of him as a person who represents America to the world. I am very familiar with the argument that God chooses imperfect leaders to aid God’s people, like Cyrus of Persia, who released the Israelites from captivity. This is used as an excuse for supporting the former president who lacks integrity and poses a great threat to American democracy. He shows his love of power by his admiration of autocrats and supposed “strong men.”

Christians may vote for whomever they like, but it certainly does not reflect well on “Evangelicals” that they have become a key part of the voting block for the former President. This man has been described as a defender of Christianity, just as many authority figures and rulers in the past have been. The connection of Christianity to governmental power has been one of the historical hindrances to the spread of the Gospel. In contrast, the founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ, walked away from claiming such power and did not urge his followers to seek such power.

Christians who carry the label “evangelical” discredit their witness to the world by their association with the former president with his great desire for personal power and his revengeful attitude. This may appeal to some “evangelicals” who feel disdain for today’s society, for those in the media, for those in science, in higher education, and especially by those they consider liberal Christians in churches. These “Evangelicals” like that the former president talks down those he considers an enemy. The main purpose of Christians in relation to those seeking office in the government should be to create and support a government that cares for the disadvantaged and marginal people in the nation and gives opportunities to the poor to receive a helping hand, so they can work through the tough times and have a better life. Sadly, so many “evangelicals” have spoken out against any programs or laws that would extend a helping hand. These “Evangelicals” have supported this guy in his isolationism as he opposes aiding our allies in maintaining their democracies.    

In the end, any message conveyed to the world, including the message of Christians, whether known as Evangelicals or not, must stand on its inherent power to change lives, not on the backing of any political power. The challenge for us carriers of this good news is to show its genuine spiritual transformative power by demonstrating that power in our own imperfect and flawed lives to benefit all people, communities and the world, especially those in need of lifting out of misery to a life of peace and joy. Our democracy gives freedom to all faiths to proclaim and demonstrate their messages. In today’s world, the challenge is to make the message truly Good News for all. ~OC

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Advice….

Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I am given a lot of advice from well meaning people regarding my health and how I am living out my journey. Some of the advice comes from friends. Some from people who have heard about my story, but really don’t know my story. I am thankful for some of the advice and some I could live without. This journey is my story and I cannot live and be something or someone I am not. I am sick and my health is declining day by day. That’s just a fact. But I wasn’t created to live a dying life. So I will continue to live a life of purpose. I will live the life God created me to live. ~OC

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What Are You Feeding?

Today’s a new day! Want to know something interesting? Fear and Faith require the same thing in order to exist, uncertainty. Without the uncertainties of life we cannot have either. Our Fears and Faith only grow in “the soil of the unknown”. While we cannot get rid of all life’s unknowns, we can decide whether we “feed our faith” or “feed our fears.” Our choice. ~OC

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