Today’s a new day! Our hearts and treatment of immigrants and refugees should be rooted in and reflect God’s heart for the vulnerable. ~OC
Let It Start With Me
Dear God, As we wake up this morning we pray for the end of violence and hatred and discord. Steady the tongue that rushes to spread painful words and the fingers poised to pull the trigger of disunity. Bring justice to the downtrodden, restoration to the marginalized and abused, hope to the hopeless. Guide all those in positions of power—whether that power is political or physical or social—and give them wisdom to use their power wisely. Give them, and all of us, the grace to admit when we are wrong and to seek forgiveness. We pray You would give us the grace to forgive.
Dear God, help us see your face in the faces of everyone around us. Give us courage to love one another even when love seems like a risk. Give us compassion for those who are unlike us. Teach us to listen to those we disagree with, to hear stories that make us uncomfortable. Heal the hatred around the world and let it start in our own hearts first. Amem. ~OC
That’s What Friends Are For
Based on my earlier post, several people reached out to see what they could do or what I might need. As I continue to move through this new phase of dementia, there are plenty of tools and games to try and keep my mind sharp. Some of them help and some are still in the testing phase. The one thing that has proven to help, is visits and phone calls from friends. So when people asked me how they can help, I encourage them to call or visit. So I will leave the ball in your court on how you choose to respond to this post. Please know I am always praying for you. I pray everyone has a beautiful weekend. ~OC
Morning Prayer
A Morning Prayer. ~OC
Dear God, we lift before you the needs of our hurting world, knowing full well that your heart is already grieving for all the loss, the destruction and death in Washington D.C., Philadelphia and the needs around the world.
We pray for those who are hungry with no hope of being filled,
for those who are sick with no hope of medical attention,
for those who are fearful with no hope of rescue.
We come to you on their behalf asking for provision, for you are the Hope that does not disappoint.
God, raise up leaders in our nation and world who are courageous to stand against the evils of the world.
We wonder, Lord, sitting in our privilege and comfort, arguing about first world problems, if it’s even possible to serve you faithfully without running water or basic freedoms, so we pray that you would protect our brothers and sisters in Christ whose lives may be threatened because they have chosen to set their hope in your unseen Kingdom.
Enlarge our compassion, Dear God, for we are a distracted people who scroll past misery and then complain about our slow internet speed. Thank you that you are a God who can hold and respond to the pain of every nation, every man, woman, and child as if they were the only voice in your ear. Hold us in faithful prayer for our hurting world, for we dare not look away from the suffering of others lest we become callous, deaf and blind to your calling upon our lives. In Jesus’s precious name, AMEN
The Battle
Good morning! Here is another post from “The Lost Writings of OC.” This was written in 2019. Have a great day!
I am a Warrior, Fighter, Conqueror and Overcomer. Some people do not like using those terms when talking about their health journey, but I embrace each of them. Because every day that I am blessed to wake up and make it through another day is a Victory. A Battle won.
The words “fighter” and “warrior” are often linked with our response to illness. I think it’s appropriate. I have walked the halls of hospitals, chemo rooms, hospice rooms and believe me each of those individuals were fighting a battle. Waging war against a disease that is trying to destroy every single part of their bodies.
As I have traveled my own crazy beautiful health journey, I have been blessed to meet and become friends with some amazing “Warriors.” I do not think any of us warriors would consider ourselves to be “inspirations.” Even though a lot of people like to put that term on us. No, we are just focused on making it through the tough moments of the day. The weeks. And for some like me, the years. We will leave all the “inspirational” talk to you.
For many the word “fighting” might sound exhausting. And it can be. There are some days I just want a break from this health battle. When this happens, I do not want to be told I’m inspirational and to “just keep going!” or “battle on!” I just want someone to listen. This is where I have found my “people in my boat” to be so helpful. Even though some have never had to walk through a health battle, they have walked through their own battles in life. One of my friends once shared “Just keep swimming, and when you can’t swim, just float.” Some days I just want or need to float for a while.
So I will continue to use terms like Warrior, Overcomer, Fighter and Conqueror. I believe these terms unite those living with chronic health problems. We will fight and overcome together. ~OC
Leave Your Burdens
Good Morning! Here is another writing from the “Lost Writings of OC.” I wrote this back in 2019.
Today’s a new day! As many get ready to start our day, some are filled with various burdens. Maybe it’s a personal thing in our life. Maybe it’s a strained relationship. Maybe your world has been rocked by a devastating loss. But at this moment, your life is burdened by the heaviness you are carrying.
It seems that these burdens are just too big to handle. In Psalm 55 we read, “Cast your care upon the LORD, who will give you support. He will never allow the righteous to stumble.”
Life seems overwhelming at this moment, but has we wake up on this Sunday morning, today is the best day to cast your fears, burdens, pain, anger, resentment, to the Lord. It’s time to “let go, and Let God.”
There is no better time to leave all your burdens at the feet of Jesus. It is time to release those burdens to the One who will never allow us to stumble. It’s time to unburden ourselves of these problems that have eaten away at us for far too long.
Let today be the day, that you release all of your problems, cares and burdens to the Lord, realizing that you cannot handle them by yourself. Whether at a church or the comfort of your home, make the life changing decisions to release everything to God.
Today, let’s let go and let God. Let’s lay our burdens at the foot of the cross. Take my heart, loving Father as I put it in your hands. Today, I release all my burdens and trust in You. ~OC
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:6-7
Happiness
I enjoy writing and posting articles on social media. What I write or post are my thoughts, beliefs and opinions. There will be some who agree with my writing and there will be others who will not. No one is obligated to enjoy, agree with, or applaud my writing. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. They can think that everything I have to say is wrong and go on to try and convince everyone that their thoughts and opinions are the only ones that matter.
I cannot control what other people think about me, my writings or post.
What I can control though, is what I think about these things myself.
I enjoy writing. I also enjoy sharing things I’ve written. I enjoy the conversations that my writings or post create. Whether you agree with me or not. I write and post for myself. Not others. I am happy with everything I write and post. I can look back on older writings and see where I have grown as a person. That makes me happy.
The truth is, my dream never involved an expectation to write things that everyone likes. I recognize how I cannot accomplish that, because I understand that nobody can accomplish that. No human can make everyone happy.
You should therefore accept that you can’t make everyone happy either — and know that it’s alright, because nobody expects you to. When you put yourself out there for the world to see, there will undoubtedly be people who will disagree with you. You’ll upset people, make them angry, and once you do, they’ll do their best to prove their opinion every time you post something they disagree with.
Please do not let them succeed in doing so. Let go of the idea that you can make everyone happy, and focus on being true to your values and beliefs. That is something you can control. It’s up to everybody else to decide whether or not they agree with your opinions or not. It’s also up to that person to be okay with people having different views, beliefs and opinions. Some people will just never be happy with what you write or post. And that’s okay. Keep living your life. ~OC
Some Shocking Truth
Good Morning! As I continue to go through some old journals, I keep finding some old treasures. I guess I can title this collection of writings “The Lost Writings of OC.” This was written in 2017.
Today’s a new day! Here’s some shocking truth for some: Jesus is not an American. Jesus did not come to create a blueprint for Americans to be Americans. But it seems as though our identity as Christians has blended with our identity as Americans, where it is often hard to differentiate what value comes from where.
Because in America, we have substituted the freedom that was given to us by God the Father (Galatians 5:1) for false freedom that was established by human fathers. In America, we have substituted the safety and security we have in the hands of God the Father (Psalm 91:1-2) for safety and security found at the hands of human fathers. In America, we have substituted the goal of building the kingdom of God (John 18:36) for building the kingdom of this country.
Let me be clear: This is not a political post. This is not an anti-America post. But more generally and over the longer term, I’m afraid that our pursuit of what it means to be American has undermined our pursuit of what it means to be Christian.
So the new question I have been asking is, what does it mean to be a Christian in America?
The answer to this question can unlock a freedom that is not found in the question of who is saving America from destruction but rather in the question of who the Savior of my life is (John 8:36). And the answer to this question might actually cause me to lose safety and security for the sake of others finding safety and security in Jesus (Philippians 2:4). Because answering the question of what it means to be a Christian means answering the question of where Jesus is calling me to follow him (Matthew 16:24).
So for some, this new question will cause us to look at the pain and suffering of those around us with compassion and ask Jesus to guide us in how he is wanting us to engage with lives that look different than ours (Colossians 3:12). For others, this question will cause us to look toward those who have caused us pain with mercy and loving-kindness and ask Jesus to guide us in how he wants us to engage with the lives of those who seemingly oppose us (Ephesians 4:32). But the invitation in asking the question of what it means to be a Christian in America is an invitation to stop looking at policies, people, and parties and to start looking at Jesus.
This American question has divided us, and the world is watching the internal implosion of the Church. But they are also looking for hope. And as long as we are asking the wrong question, we are unable to show them the hope we so desperately desire that they see (Colossians 1:27).
I pray everyone will take the time to reflect on this post. I pray everyone has a beautiful day. ~OC
Avoid the Distractions
Good Morning! I guess I should start calling these the “Lost Writings.” Here is one written back in 2021.
Today’s a new day! As Christians, we can argue, debate, and dispute with one another whose beliefs and convictions do not align with our own.
We can also choose to strive to stay so busy working for the Kingdom of God that we will not have the time to remain distracted.
Instead of walking through life angry about everything, we can take that time to not only reach for, but wrap our arms around those walking through the storms of life. To love and serve those who are just barely hanging on.
We can reach out to those who have lost all hope and purpose and are struggling to just take their next breath.
We can create a safe place for those who have experienced trauma, whether mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually or sexually.
We can strive to encourage those who cannot seem to shake an addiction, that they can overcome it and do not have to live in shame.
We can get out of our comfort zones. We can choose to love people so hard that it makes them want to experience the same God we serve. Teach them. Explain the word of God, and utilize it to explain why you believe how you believe. Disciple them and challenge them.
And let us not get distracted from doing just that. ~OC
Friendships…
The last few days, I have been going through old journals and finding some old writings. Here is one I wrote back in 2019.
Today’s a new day! So many people kick the terms “best friend,” “best friend forever,” “BFF,” or “bestie” around like a soccer ball , hoping the person they kick it to will kick it back at them. I have no doubt that for some people, the friends they make in their youth stick with them for a lifetime. But as we grow older, we realize that true friends are rare.
Some friends are here for only a season of our life – school days, college, young married, a missions trip– and then when the ties that bind them loosen, they slowly (or quickly) exit our lives. I do not think this lessens the value of the relationship. We need various people to learn from and lean on during the different seasons of our lives.
What can weaken a friendship? Two friends may mature at a different pace, or sometimes interests change. Distance can have a huge impact, if someone moves, or perhaps there’s a complete change in lifestyle. Are there friendships that can withstand any or all of these conditions?
True friendships withstand the test of time and the changes that can put obstacles in the way of a stress-free relationship. That is, it’s easy to be friends with someone who is available, who you have much in common with, and who you agree with on most issues.
I’ve learned that true friendship does not have much to do with what you have in common, though, of course, commonalities are needed, especially since they bring you together. What holds your friendship together is a deep love and concern for the other person’s well being. You care, so you continue to be there for that person.
Friends show up in times of trouble. During my crazy beautiful health journey, I have found out who my true friends are. Who those 3am friends really are. For those friends that decided to move on, I continue to pray for you and only want the best for you.
True friends are honest with each other, and they accept the other person’s honesty. They do not let petty arguments come between them. They forgive each other. They realize that they don’t always have to agree.
True friends give you the freedom to have other friends. They are secure enough to know that if you are a worthy friend, they do not have to do anything to persuade you to spend time with them. They know you have enough love in your heart for all your friendships.
True friends are not difficult to meet up with, and they aren’t hard to keep in touch with, if they live far away. While we all get busy at times, true friends inform each other that their friendship is still important, and both of them make an effort.
Over the years, I have had some friends who pulled out a calendar and listed a handful of dates over the next few months that they could schedule a time to see me. Hmm, I thought, I’m busy too (dying can take up a lot of one’s time), but it shouldn’t be that difficult to find time to spend together. In contrast, I have multiple friends that a quick phone call or text and we are meeting up within hours to catch up.
True friendships are those that bring out the best in you. Your friend should give you energy – not drain it. How many times have we stayed in relationships simply because the person was present, but deep down we know they aren’t good for us? When possible we should clear our lives of people who drain us and leave space to foster relationships that fill us up with hope and make us a better person.
I believe the mark of a true friendship is intimacy – your friends know and wants to know what is happening in your life. On some level, they stay involved in your life. Indeed, that’s the mark of a true friend.
It goes without saying that to have true friends, we must work at being a good friend.Even after fifty plus years, I am still learning how to be a better friend. I desire to have more friendships that can last the ups and downs of this journey called life. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 