We survived 2020 and are blessed to say hello to 2021. We all have been given 365 days to make a difference. To make a difference in our small part of the world. When we hear about “Making A Difference”we tend to think that’s for someone else. We think about Martin Luther King, Jr. or Mother Teresa. But making a difference could be a smile and saying hello to a stranger. Making a difference could be committing to pray for someone. Making a difference could be a phone call to a loved one. Making a difference could be paying for a strangers meal. Making a difference could be volunteering. Making a difference could be checking on your neighbor. Making a difference could be making a commitment to having lunch with a friend once a week or month. Making a difference could be saying no to hate. Making a difference could be saying no to violence. Making a difference could be saying no to road rage. As you can see, making a difference does not have to be some major undertaking. But it will take a commitment to follow through. I pray we will make a commitment to making a difference in 2021. ~OC
Connect: My Word For 2021
Each year God gives me a word for the year. The word God has given me for 2021 is Connect. What word has God given you for 2021?
Connect with Jesus. Connect with family and friends. Connect with strangers. Connect with all those Jesus brings my way. We were created for relationships and connecting with others is vital for living a victorious 2021. Happy New Year! ~OC
Hope
A person can live 40 days without food, three days without water, eight minutes without air, but only one second without Hope.
We all need hope. It’s what keeps us going when we walk through the storms of life. Hope is the encouragement of life. Hope is what gives us the belief that everything will work out. Hope is what gets us through when things did not work out the way we had hoped. Hope is what helps us take that next breath or next step. Sometimes when we fill drained and beaten up, the only thing that gets us through is hope.
Today I encourage you to spread Hope. Call a relative or friend today. Share a kind word with someone today. Send someone an encouraging text message today. What might take you seconds to type, could change the course of that person’s day. Step out of your comfort zone today and be a Hope Dealer. ~OC
Gospel Over Politics
As I scroll through social media, I see some post from Christians talking about fighting until “Our Team” wins. That would be awesome if these folks were talking about God winning. Which of course He already has. No, sadly these post are about a political party. A party that would rather win than be United. My prayer is that these individuals would be more concerned about truly living out the Gospel and less concerned about a political party or candidate. ~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
Running Out My Miracle
A year ago, I weighed 112, pounds and the doctors gave me a few months to live. Then God did a miracle. Today, I completed my 500th mile this year. Next up, 1,000 miles. We serve an amazing Savior. ~OC
Make Peace
Today’s a new day! Make peace with your past; so you can make friends with your amazing future. ~OC
Life
Today’s a new day! Don’t just live life; be enthusiastically engaged. ~OC
Growth Along the Journey
Today’s a new day! The journey God is leading us on may not always be the easiest route, but it is the one where we will experience the most growth. ~OC
A Prayer for Healthcare Workers
Dear Jesus, you are the giver and sustainer of life. Thank you for all the healthcare workers as they start a new week caring for patients. Keep them safe as they walk through the halls of hospitals this week. Dear Jesus, give them wisdom to know how to care for the patients you have placed in front of them. Especially those emergency cases. Dear Jesus, keep their hearts grounded in your truth. Dear Jesus, never let them lose hope on any patient that you have entrusted to their care. Dear Jesus, at the end of the day give them rest. Thank you Jesus. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 