Tag: respect

With Tears

Today’s a new day! Yesterday, as I scrolled through social media, I was struck by a disturbing post shared by the current President of the United States—an image involving a former President and First Lady that many, myself included, perceived as racist and deeply offensive. What troubled me just as much as the post itself was the near-total silence that followed from Christian leaders, organizations and the Christian community as a whole. I looked for statements, condemnations, or even thoughtful reflections grounded in Scripture, but found very little. That silence was deafening. It raises a painful question: how can the Christian community remain quiet—or worse, quietly supportive—when words and actions so clearly contradict the character and teachings of Christ?

This moment exposes a deeper concern that has been growing in my heart for some time. Too many Christians appear to have chosen political allegiance over Gospel faithfulness. When loyalty to a party or a person outweighs our commitment to love, truth, humility, and justice, something has gone terribly wrong. Jesus did not call His followers to power, outrage, or mockery; He called us to love our neighbors, defend the marginalized, and speak truth with grace. When the Church mirrors the cruelty, division, and bitterness of the world, rather than standing apart from it, we lose our witness. It is hard not to imagine Jesus weeping as He watches His Church drift further from His example, trading compassion for convenience and conviction for comfort.

If the teachings and love of Jesus are to remain alive in the Church and the Christian community, we must be willing to speak—even when it is uncomfortable, even when it costs us politically or socially. Silence in the face of injustice is not neutrality; it is a choice. The Gospel demands more from us. It calls us back to Christ-centered courage, where love is louder than hate, truth is stronger than fear, and faithfulness to Jesus outweighs every earthly allegiance. ~OC

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Beyond the Chaos

Today’s a new day! My heart breaks for America,

Turn on the news and all I see is chaos,

A country divided, fractured and torn.

I don’t care if you voted left, right, or somewhere in between,

If your heart’s not breaking for the hurt and pain we see,

You might need to check your pulse and see if you’re still alive.

We scream and we shout, we dig in our heels,

But the truth is, we’re dying, we’re losing our way.

We’re so busy building walls, we’re forgetting to build bridges,

We’re so busy pointing fingers, we’re forgetting to hold hands.

Dear God, please help America come together,

Put away our differences, and actually live

Like the United States of America.

Help us see the humanity in each other,

Help us hear the cries of the broken and the pain.

Help us love like You loved, with a love that’s radical and true,

A love that unites, a love that heals, a love that’s new.

We need a revival, a awakening,

A return to compassion, to empathy, to love.

We need to see each other, not as enemies, but as brothers and sisters,

United in our struggles, in our hopes, in our dreams.

Let’s rise up, let’s rise above,

The noise, the hate, the fear, the pride.

Let’s be the change, let’s be the love,

That America needs, that the world needs, that we all need today. ~OC

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Love

Today’s a new day! Jesus treated Judas with such love, that none of the other disciples had a clue he would betray Jesus. That is what loving your enemies and those you strongly disagree with truly looks like. ~OC

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New Year’s Prayer

Dear God,

As we start a brand new year, we come before you with hearts full of hope and minds full of dreams. We pray for a world where love conquers fear, kindness triumphs over cruelty, and compassion heals the wounds of division.

May this year bring us closer to your vision of peace, justice, and harmony. May we strive to be the change we wish to see, to lift each other up, and to make a difference in the lives of those around us.

May our leaders be guided by wisdom, integrity, and a deep commitment to the common good. May our communities be strengthened by diversity, and a spirit of belonging.

May this year bring us joy, laughter, and adventure. May we find happiness in the simple things, and may our hearts be filled with gratitude for the blessings we enjoy.

And when the road ahead seems uncertain, may we draw strength from your promise to be with us always. May we trust in your goodness, your mercy, and your love.

In the spirit of hope and renewal, we offer this prayer, dear God. May your will be done, and may your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven….Amen ~OC

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Class, Character and Compassion

“Listen up, y’all, let me tell you somethin’ true

No amount of money, power, or fame can buy you class

No amount of wealth can purchase character, or compassion too

That’s the job of a parent, to teach what’s right, what’s wrong, and what’s due

When a parent fails, the world feels the pain

Their shortcomings echoed, like a shameful refrain

The streets become classrooms, where lessons are harsh and cruel

And the cycle repeats, like a never-ending duel

A title doesn’t make you noble, a throne doesn’t make you wise

It’s the heart that beats with kindness, the soul that opens eyes

Class, character, compassion – these are the things that make us whole

And it’s the parents who instill them, or let the world pay the toll

So let’s raise ’em up, with love and with care

Teach ’em to be kind, and to show they care

For when we fail, the world suffers the consequences

And the lessons we teach, will shape the future’s tendencies.” ~OC

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My Thoughts On Halloween

Today’s a new day! I wanted to take some time this morning to repost my thoughts about Halloween from last year. I did update a few parts.

It’s hard to outright ignore Halloween. It’s everywhere. In our condo, several people have their doors directed for this October 31st holiday. Have you walked into a store lately? Most are stocked with various Halloween items. In 2024, Americans spent $11.6 billion on Halloween. That’s a lot of candy and costumes.

So there’s no hiding from Halloween. But should Christians participate in it? Should Christian children be walking the neighborhoods trick or treating? Or should the Christian community rise up and boycott Halloween altogether?

Some say, yes, Christians should boycott Halloween. In arguing that Halloween should be off-limits for Christians,people will site the origin of Halloween back to pagan festivals in the first century AD. Some people will claim that blood, witchcraft, and horror have become the dominate themes of the day. Furthermore, Christians opposed to Halloween will cite Bible verses that condemn witchcraft and sorcery, as well as Bible verses that command Christians to separate themselves from all that is impure.

Others will say, no, Christians don’t need to boycott Halloween. I read where several writers call it revisionist history to claim that Halloween is rooted in a pagan festival. They each wrote that Halloween is actually rooted in Christianity. All Hallows Eve is the evening before All Saints Day (Nov. 1). These writers challenged Christians not to back down to the culture, but instead to reclaim Halloween. Many feel it’s possible to “soften” the holiday by wearing non-scary costumes like classic superheros and princesses and establishing wholesome family customs.

But here is something that is always on my mind during this season: Halloween is a rare occasion for many in a busy world, to get out of their homes and interact with our neighbors.

I have been so amazed and happy how interactive the neighbors in our condominium have been. I have lived in neighborhoods where neighbors barely spoke with each other. That’s a totally different blog post, for a different day.

Let’s keep in mind, that God is infinitely resourceful. What if, in His perfect wisdom, God desires to leverage Halloween to build community among people? Halloween can be a strategic time to see your neighbors face to face (or maybe mask to mask). Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31) We understand “neighbor” to mean any human being … which includes actual neighbors in your neighborhood.

Everyone has their individual opinions on Halloween. We need to be respectful of those opinions and the choices people make about this holiday. So whether you choose to boycott or celebrate Halloween, I encourage everyone to look for opportunities to positively engage with your neighbors. That’s just my two cents on Halloween. ~OC

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Finding Purpose in the Storm

Today’s a new day! As I sit in this hospital room, surrounded by beeping machines and the business of staff, I am reminded that my purpose extends far beyond my physical body. In the midst of uncertainty and pain, I pray: Dear God, use me for your purpose during this hospital stay and every day as I continue to fight through this crazy beautiful health journey.

For me it’s a prayer of surrender, of trust, and of faith. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest moments, God’s love and patience remain unfailing.

Embracing the Unknown:

When we’re faced with the challenges of life, it’s easy to feel like our lives are spinning out of control. But what if we flipped that perspective? What if this season of uncertainty is an opportunity to discover a deeper sense of God’s purpose for our lives?

For those walking through their own “crazy beautiful journey,” I encourage you to pray the following: Dear God, use me for your purpose… I am thankful for your unfailing love and patience with me.

Practical Ways to Find Purpose:

1. Prayer and Reflection: Take time each day to connect with God. Reflect on your experiences, and ask Him to reveal His purpose for your life.

2. Support Loved Ones:Reach out to family and friends, and let them know you’re thinking of them. Sometimes, a simple text, handwritten note or phone call can bring joy to someone’s day.

3. Share Your Story: Consider sharing your journey on social media, a blog or write a book. Your story might encourage others who are facing similar challenges.

4. Find Ways to Serve: Even in a hospital room, you can serve others. Share words of encouragement with the staff, pray for the staff and others walking down the hall. Show kindness and respect to everyone you encounter today.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving:

As I continue to navigate through this health journey, I am grateful for God’s unfailing love and patience. I’m thankful for a loving and supportive bride, I am thankful for my medical team that’s been taking care of me for many years, I am blessed by the the loved ones who pray and support me, and for the opportunities to grow in my faith.

If you happen to be reading this post and are facing your own challenges, know that you’re not alone. You’re loved, you’re valued, and you’re part of a larger story.

A Prayer for Today:

Dear Jesus, use us for your purpose during the stressful times of life and every day as we continue to navigate through this journey called life. We’re thankful for your unfailing love and patience with us. Amen

Challenge of the Day:

How can you use your life experiences, past and present to bless and help others today? ~OC

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Love

Today’s a new day! Dear God, pour out Your love into our hearts by releasing the Holy Spirit to give us revelation of Your love for us that it may overflow in love back to Jesus and to others. Dear God, help us to love everyone we encounter today.

“The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5), “For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8), “Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).

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Our Prayer

Today’s a new day! As we look at the news or scroll through social media, there is so much division. So I wanted to share the following this morning. ~OC

Dear God, our world feels so divided, even within families and friendships. Help us be a peacemaker in our relationships, building bridges instead of walls. Show us how to listen and understand with humility, allowing Your Spirit to guide our words and actions. May Your peace be the foundation of every connection. Amen. 

“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”~Ephesians 4:3

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2AM Thoughts

Today’s a new day! It’s 2am on this Tuesday morning. I have been unable to fall asleep. It’s just one of those crazy nights with Parkinson’s and Dementia. So I have walked around the house more times than I can remember. I have watched several YouTube videos to pass the time. Finally, I have decided to share my experience and thoughts with you. Writing is still something my brain allows me to do on occasion. Lately, God has filled my brain with many thoughts. I feel an urgency to write as much as possible before I can no longer do that. Tonight, my brain is extra active. That’s not always a good thing.

I have good days and bad days as I navigate through the multiple health issues that are slowly robbing me of so much. On a bad day, I cannot do anything at all. My energy levels are low and I feel fatigued. The only way I can describe it is that I feel like I have run a hundred marathons in a very short amount of time. I feel totally drained.

But I have lots of coping strategies. I choose to use those days to pray a lot more. I choose to reach out to friends even though I know, I will not hear back from the majority of them.

I think it’s important to have something that gives you a sense of purpose in life. I try to share my journey to help encourage others walking through their own life struggles. If I can help just one other person, that’s enough for me.

When most people think about neurological issues, especially dementia they think it’s all about memory loss. But I have cognitive issues also- trying to figure things out can be difficult and frustrating. Also too many voices at one time can be overwhelming. I get frustrated and anxious if I am struggling to follow the conversation. I also deal with a lot of rigidity and pain, which creates so many issues.

Over the years I have lost many friends as I have walked through this crazy beautiful health journey. I believe a lot of people have a difficult time talking to and relating to me. But I am still me. My story has just changed a little. A lot of times when Laura and I are around other people, they will address questions to her, not me. My prayer is that people would see the person, not the disease.

But I am blessed that a few friends have decided to stick around and not jump ship. I hold those friendships very close to my heart.

I choose to embrace each moment of life. I try to share my love and thoughts now. Not waiting for the perfect moment. Because the perfect moment is today. Laura and I do not wait for the perfect moment to buy that gift or take that trip. Now is the perfect time. Now is the perfect time to take care of future arrangements. Which we have done. I did not want Laura dealing with all of that on her own.

It also means we’ve had really indepth chats about what quality of life really looks like. Everyone has to figure that out for themselves and their loved ones.

Life looks different every day. What I could do yesterday, might be more difficult to accomplish today. I continue to live my life with my cup overflowing. I try not to beat myself up too much when I cannot do something anymore. Because there are still many things I can do. So today, I choose to embrace the now and what I can accomplish today. ~OC

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