Today’s a new day! As I reflect on this crazy beautiful health journey, there has been a cost. Physically my body has been beat up. Mentally I have lost a step or two. Emotionally, I have had to run through a lot of loss. Financially, life took a turn when I had to retire years before I was ready. Spiritually, I have been challenging and taught so many lessons. But through it all, I believe I have gained more than I have lost. The friendships made have been a beautiful blessing. Watching my body deteriorate has made me rely more on the promises of God. This health journey, has allowed me experience life in a different, but life changing way. Even though this journey has not been easy, I would not change a thing. This journey has given me purpose. To hopefully encourage others walking through their own journey. To challenge people to step out of their comfort zones. To truly live out the teachings of God and be his hands and feet. As this journey continues to bring challenges, I will continue to choose to be an Overcomer. I will finish strong! ~OC
Purpose
Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I believe God allows us to walk through trials and storms to prepare and strengthen us for a greater purpose in life than we could otherwise fulfill. ~OC
Lessons Learned
Today’s a new day! I have learned a few lessons as I have run this crazy beautiful health journey. I thought I would share a few with you. This journey called life is not easy. It never has been. Embrace the challenges of life and learn from them. Never stop learning. I do not care if you have multiple doctorate degrees, there is always more to learn. Never stop dreaming. I do not care how young or old you are. Keep dreaming! Find your purpose in life. I have learned when you find your purpose you find your peace. And never let anyone or anything steal your peace. Finally, be kind. This is one of the most important lessons we can learn in life. Just being kind can totally change your life and the lives around you. ~OC
Keep Overcoming
Today’s a new day! I have been running this crazy beautiful health journey for 22 years. On multiple occasions, I have been told I did not have much time left. To get my affairs in order. This health journey has been filled with many twist and turns. But throughout this journey, I have had the peace of God to carry me through. On many occasions, I have asked God what are you up to? But I knew God was in control and had a beautiful plan for my life. I knew something amazing could come out of this journey. I just didn’t know what that was at the time. But I put my trust in God to get me through this and never let fear control my life. The hope I have as a Christian helps me overcome the biggest challenges, along with the amazing support of my family and friends. Also I have a passion for life. A passion to love on, care for and encourage people. That passion is greater than any health battle I could ever face. I have been blessed that the story God has given me has been shared around the world and has encouraged so many people get through their own crazy beautiful journey. Because of the hope I have in the promises of God, a journey that looks hopeless has become a story of hope, encouragement and overcoming. As I continue running this race, I have no regrets for the adversities God has allowed me to run through. If you look at me, you could think, wow, have pity on me for having to endure such a long health battle. But I invite you to look at it as something beautiful. God has taken something negative and turned it into something incredibly amazing. I’m I’m a husband, a friend and a overcomer who God has chosen to life out this incredible adventure. I wake up every morning with joy and purpose and seek to honor God in all I do. Sometimes I fall short, but His grace is sufficient for me. Today, I encourage you to make the choice to overcome the challenges in your life. To live an authentic and unstoppable life through God. If you need someone to run along side you, just reach out to me. Let’s run this beautiful life together. Keep Overcoming! ~OC
The 4th Quarter. Finish Strong!
As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I look at my race like a football game. A football game is made up of four quarters. As Laura and I discuss the current state of my health, we both believe I have entered the 4th quarter of my health journey. We do not believe there will an overtime. This is not us giving up, but being up front and honest about my current situation. We are so excited to see how God is going to use this 4th quarter.
A side note: Laura and I have to laugh when my medical team continually makes the comment “Todd you look really good for someone who is dying.” It reminds us of the promise God made years ago that I would never act or look sick.
As I run this 4th quarter, I want to make the most out of whatever time I have left. Not a second wasted. I want every moment to matter.
I believe I am in the most important quarter in life. The 4th Quarter. It does not matter how I started the game, but how I finish is what truly matters.
A lot of people look at my current health condition and encourage me to slow down. But that is not what I am hearing from God. No, what I am hearing from God is to keep running. To keep playing the game. To press in even more to share the story God has given me with more urgency. To continue making champions for God.
So, I will continue to run the race God designed for me. I will continue to spend time with family and friends. I will continue to have beautiful moments of conversations. I will continue to invite friends over, to sit on the balcony and hear their stories. I will continue to share love and encouragement with everyone God brings my way. I will embrace the beautiful interruptions of life.
Though my body may be quickly declining, my faith is growing stronger every day. I am spending more time in prayer and God’s word. I am excited to see how the Holy Spirit is working like a skilled surgeon and digging out any junk I might be holding onto. I continue to pursue righteousness and purity. I am more dedicated to prayer. I am thankful for those friends who chose to run the race with me. I continue to desire good fruit. I still desire for God to use every part of my life. To continue sharing the hope and love of Jesus with everyone.
I believe God is most pleased to use a willing heart. A willing vessel. My hope and prayer is that I finish the 4 Quarter strong. With nothing else to give. Amen. ~OC
Communion
A friend asked me to write down some thoughts on communion. I thought I would share them with you. ~OC
Time seems to stand still. The moment is quite as I hear God whisper, “Come before me and empty your heart. Pour your sins, frustrations, and needs at My feet. And I will fill you with My light, My glory, and presence.” These are the words I hear God share as I prepare my heart for communion. It makes the moment even more special. Even more holy. It makes the moment even more sacred.
As we prepare ourselves for communion, allow God to speak to your heart. Let His worship flow over and through you. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal all He has for you in this moment.
Why do we take communion?
Communion is a soul stirring experiences that cause us to reflect on the holiness of Christ embodied in the gift of salvation. To remember and give thanks that Jesus took our place on the Cross. Stop and think about that for a moment. Jesus took our place.
Jesus established communion on the night he was betrayed as he ate a meal with His disciples. The Sacraments symbolize and guarantee God’s promises to us via the bread and juice which symbolize Jesus’s body and blood. These are tangible reminders of Christ’s love and sacrifice on the cross.
In the early church, it was known as the “eucharist,” or as the giving of thanks found in Matthew 26:27.
The entire account of the first Lord’s Supper is found in the Gospels of
Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:19-25 and a portion of the account is also found in
1 Corinthians 11:24-26.
Jesus told us to “Do this… in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthian 11:25). Just as we depend on food and drink to physically sustain us, we can only live spiritually through Christ. We take communion because we believe Jesus is really, truly, spiritually present in the bread and the juice. Meaning that when we eat and drink these things, we are receiving the promises Jesus makes to us in faith. Those promises help us come face to face with our humanity. It also reminds us that Christ promises to forgive our sins (Matt 26:28). Jesus will strengthen us, grow us, and help us persevere as we continue to follow Him (John 6:53-58). It also reminds us just how precious the gift of salvation is.
A Prayer after Communion:
Dear God, we praise you for the sacrifice of your one and only Son that you so lovingly and freely gave us. Lord Jesus, what a privilege it is to be able to come before your throne of grace and partake of the precious sacraments of bread and juice in remembrance of your atoning sacrifice on the Cross. You lovingly feed us at your holy table through your body and blood. By your Word and Supper, we are set free. We rejoice that we get to call you Father. Thank you for taking our place. Thank you for covering us with your love, grace, and the enormous price of taking away our sins so that we can experience your freedom. May we never forget the price you paid on our behalf. As we continue to run this race called life, may this moment be on our minds, and may we hold your heavenly presence in our hearts. May we live in remembrance of how your body was broken and how your blood was spilled for us. Dear Jesus, thank you for the ability to carry in our hearts the riches of your eternal goodness. May we be a living vessel and light to others you allow us to come in contact with, lighting up the darkness with your truths. What a joy and a privilege it is to fellowship with you Dear Jesus and to commune with you. No matter where we are or who we are with, we know that You are with us, indwelling us. Help us to live in a way that glorifies you and reflects the work of how you broke your body for us and how you took our place on the Cross. We rejoice in the blanket of your grace as we rest in the arms of your sacrificial love. Amen.
Love and Prayers
Today’s a new day! Love and prayers have no boundaries. They can be heard and felt in every part of the world. Love and prayers can be instantly translated into any language. ~OC
A Gift
Today’s a new day! Believe it or not, this crazy beautiful health journey is a gift, and I do not intend to waste a day of it. Have I experienced tough moments? Yes, I have. Multiple surgeries, multiple near death experiences, hours of treatment and too many hospital stays to count. But during this long journey, God has allowed me to hear the stories of some amazing people and share my own story. If I had allowed my health issues to become my identity, I would have missed out on so many beautiful moments along the way. Does my life look different than what I had dreamed of? Yes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I no longer rush through life. I embrace every moment. My life is not dictated by meetings and deadlines. I make it a point to connect with at least one friend a day. My goal is no longer to climb some corporate ladder, but to build bridges of love and encouragement. A time clock has been replaced by a get to clock. This health journey that the world would deem a negative, has become a story of hope and overcoming. My body might be broken, but I will allow God to pick up the pieces and create something beautiful. I invite everyone to come along and run this beautiful journey with me. ~OC
Pacesetter
Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, God is my pacesetter. I will not rush through the race set before me. I will rest when God calls me to rest. He will restore me daily as I run this race. God will lead my steps as I run through the darkest moments. He gives me a calm mind and fills my heart with peace. Even when this journey becomes overwhelming, I will not fret because I am running in the presence of God. His presence is timeless. God will keep me balanced as I continue to run this race. He anoints my every step. My cup of life overflows. I will continue to run in the pace of my Lord and dwell in His house forever. ~OC
Faithful Friend
Today’s a new day! Sadly, as I have run this crazy beautiful health journey, several friends decided to walk away. But this is not about them. No, this letter is for you.
Dear Faithful Friend, I want you to know you are one of the greatest blessings God has ever given me. Coming from a person who has watched many friends walk away, I am thankful that I never had to see what it would look like as you walked away. You have been a constant. You have been persistent. You have been faithful. You have constantly showed me that people are capable of caring unconditionally. Friends like you are hard to find these days, even in people who call themselves Christians.
I am thankful that you have never left, as I have run this crazy beautiful health journey. You haven’t just stayed during the good times, you have decided to run with me even as my body has went through one trial after another. You care for me even when I have nothing to offer.
You have seen the worst parts of this health journey. You know the good and not so good in this season. You know God gives us things exactly when we need them… that’s proven to be true because of the fact that He has blessed me to call you friend. Our paths crossed because God saw that I needed a faithful friend. He was right. I needed someone who intercedes in prayer on my behalf without me asking. I needed someone who would sharpen me as I walk through this journey.
I have studied the Bible to see what it means to be a good friend and most of the things I have read are qualities that you possess. I have seen you run with me at my weakest moments. You have been an honest voice. I have seen you build me up and encourage me. You have had my back in ways I will never be able to truly thank you for.
I am so thankful for your friendship.
I can only pray that I have had a small impact on your life. You have helped me become a better person as I run this crazy beautiful health journey. I pray for you and your family on a daily basis and I hope you know that I am here in all seasons for you, just like you have been there for me. I do not write any of this lightly. Thank you for being a faithful friend. I am thankful for your friendship in my life. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 