Tag: Stand Up

Wake Up, Christian: Why I Write About Tough Topics

One of the questions I get asked quite often is this:

“Why do you write about such tough topics?”

Sometimes the question is phrased a little differently:

“Why don’t you just stick to the nice,

encouraging, less controversial subjects?”

My answer is usually very simple:

Because that is what God has placed on my heart at that moment.

I don’t sit down and ask myself, “How can I make people uncomfortable today?” I sit down and ask, “Lord, what do You want me to say?”

Sometimes He leads me to write about hope, healing, miracles, and encouragement. Other times He leads me to write about difficult issues that many people would rather avoid.

The truth is, I believe too many Christians have become comfortable.

Far too many believers want to walk through life with blinders on, roast marshmallows, eat s’mores, and pretend everything in the world is just fine.

But it isn’t.

Look around.

People are hurting.

Families are broken.

Addictions are destroying lives.

Human trafficking continues to victimize millions.

Abuse is often ignored.

Depression and anxiety are everywhere.

Suicide rates remain alarming.

Loneliness is growing.

The world is facing some very real and very difficult challenges.

As followers of Christ, we cannot afford to pretend these issues don’t exist.

Jesus never ignored pain.

Jesus never looked away from suffering.

Jesus never avoided difficult conversations.

He stepped directly into the brokenness of humanity and brought truth, hope, healing, and redemption.

As Christians, we are called to be a bright light in a dark world. Sometimes that means encouraging people. Sometimes it means comforting people. Sometimes it means speaking difficult truths and confronting evil when we see it.

The world doesn’t need a thirty-minute sitcom version of Christianity.

The world doesn’t need believers who pretend life is perfect.

The world doesn’t need another polished sermon that makes us feel good on Sunday but leaves us spiritually empty by Monday morning.

What the world desperately needs is genuine Christianity.

People want authenticity.

They want to see believers who are honest about their struggles.

They want to see Christians who admit they don’t have it all together.

They want to see followers of Jesus who are willing to show their scars, their failures, their lessons learned, and how God carried them through.

They want to see faith that is real.

The Gospel was never meant to simply make us comfortable.

It was meant to transform us.

Growth rarely happens when we stay comfortable.

Growth happens when God challenges us.

Growth happens when we wrestle with hard truths.

Growth happens when the Holy Spirit convicts our hearts and calls us to something greater.

That is why I will continue sharing messages that challenge people.

Not because I enjoy controversy.

Not because I think I have all the answers.

But because I believe God often uses uncomfortable moments to produce spiritual growth.

If a message makes us stop and think, examine our hearts, or see the world through God’s eyes, then perhaps that discomfort is exactly what we need.

Now, don’t worry—I won’t write only about difficult subjects.

I’ll still sprinkle in plenty of encouraging posts about faith, hope, healing, miracles, worship, and God’s goodness.

After all, encouragement is important too.

But I will not shy away from the hard conversations when God places them on my heart.

The Church doesn’t need less truth.

The Church doesn’t need less courage.

The Church doesn’t need less conviction.

The Church needs believers who are awake, engaged, and willing to shine the light of Christ wherever darkness exists.

So my encouragement today is simple:

Wake up.

Look around.

Pray.

Pay attention.

Love people.

Speak truth.

Show grace.

Confront evil.

Offer hope.

And above all else, point people to Jesus.

Because this world doesn’t need comfortable Christianity.

It needs Christians who are willing to follow Jesus wherever He leads—even when the conversation gets difficult. ~OC

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When We Care More About Position Than Protection

Today’s a new day!

I know many people may disagree with what I am about to say, and that’s okay. Healthy disagreement is part of life and part of the Church. But I stand firmly by these words.

I care far more about the victims of abuse in our churches than I do about whether a woman teaches a Bible study, preaches a sermon, or stands behind a pulpit in a Southern Baptist Church—or any other church.

For years, countless hours, meetings, conferences, articles, and social media debates have focused on the role of women in ministry. Entire denominations have wrestled with the question. Churches have split over it. Christians have passionately argued both sides.

Yet while some believers are consumed with debates about who is allowed to speak from the platform, children, teenagers, and vulnerable adults have suffered abuse in churches that were supposed to be safe places.

That should break our hearts.

When Jesus walked this earth, He consistently placed people above power, compassion above control, and protection of the vulnerable above religious posturing. He reserved some of His strongest words for religious leaders who burdened others while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

I cannot help but wonder what Jesus thinks when churches spend more energy debating who can preach or teach than they spend ensuring children are protected.

I cannot help but wonder what He thinks when victims are ignored, silenced, questioned, or blamed while church leaders focus on preserving reputations and institutions.

The Church should be the safest place on earth for a child.

The safest place for a survivor.

The safest place for the wounded.

The safest place for those seeking healing.

And yet, too often, it has not been.

This is not a statement against theology. 

Theology matters. Scripture matters. Church governance matters. But if our theological discussions become more important than protecting people made in the image of God, something has gone terribly wrong.

If Christians are more concerned about a woman’s role in ministry than they are about children being abused, they have missed something essential in the teachings of Jesus.

If we can passionately argue about positions while remaining silent about victims, we need to examine our priorities.

If we are quicker to defend institutions than to defend the brokenhearted, we need to return to the heart of Christ.

Jesus welcomed children.

Jesus protected the vulnerable.

Jesus stood with the hurting.

Jesus confronted religious leaders who had lost sight of what mattered most.

The Church should do the same.

The world is watching how we respond. More importantly, survivors are watching.

They don’t need another debate.

They need safety.

They need accountability.

They need justice.

They need compassion.

They need to know that the Church values their well-being more than its reputation.

My prayer is that Christians of every denomination would become known not merely for what we believe, but for how fiercely we protect the vulnerable, how seriously we take abuse allegations, how compassionately we care for survivors, and how faithfully we reflect the heart of Jesus.

Because at the end of the day, protecting the vulnerable is not a political issue.

It is not a denominational issue.

It is not a conservative issue or a progressive issue.

It is a Jesus issue. ~OC

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A Free Press Matters

Today’s a new day!

When I was in high school, I had a dream. I wanted to be the next great sports journalist. I loved sports, but even more than the games themselves, I loved the stories behind them. I admired the journalists who traveled the country, asked tough questions, told inspiring stories, and brought fans closer to the athletes and teams they followed.

Journalism fascinated me because it was about more than reporting scores and statistics. It was about seeking the truth, telling the stories that needed to be told, and helping people stay informed.

That is why I find myself disappointed by the growing attacks on journalists that we see today.

No, journalists are not perfect. They are human beings, and like every profession, there are good ones and bad ones. Some make mistakes. Some have biases. But the answer to imperfect journalism is not to destroy journalism. The answer is to pursue better journalism.

Throughout history, journalists have played a critical role in holding powerful people accountable. They have uncovered corruption, exposed injustice, highlighted the struggles of ordinary people, and brought important issues into the public conversation. Many have risked their careers, their freedom, and even their lives to report the truth.

A healthy democracy depends on an informed citizenry. People cannot make wise decisions if they do not have access to information. They cannot hold leaders accountable if no one is asking questions. They cannot understand what is happening in their communities, their nation, or the world if there is no one reporting the facts.

That is why a free press is so important.

We may not always agree with what journalists write. We may disagree with their conclusions, perspectives, or reporting. But disagreement should never become hostility toward the very institution that helps keep citizens informed.

As Christians, we should be people who value truth. Scripture repeatedly calls us to walk in truth, speak truth, and seek truth. While journalists are not the source of truth itself, many faithfully work to uncover facts and bring important information into the light.

When I think back to my high school dream of becoming a sports journalist, I still have great respect for those who dedicate their lives to telling stories and informing the public. Their work matters.

A democracy without journalists is a democracy left in the dark.

We may not always like what we hear, but a society that values truth must also value those who seek to report it.

Let us encourage honesty, integrity, and accountability in journalism while recognizing the vital role a free press plays in preserving freedom. An informed people are better equipped to make wise decisions, engage in meaningful conversations, and help build a stronger future for the next generation. ~OC

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Watchman On The Wall

Today’s a new day!

There are moments in life when words spoken over you stay buried deep in your spirit for years. Not because they inflate your ego, but because they carry weight. Responsibility. Sobriety. Reverence before God.

Several years ago, during two different conversations with two different men of God about some of my writings, they both shared something with me that I have never forgotten. They each told me they believed I was a watchman, like the watchmen described in the Book of Ezekiel Chapter 33.

At the time, I did not fully know what to do with those words. Honestly, part of me still wrestles with them. The title itself is not something I ever desired for attention or recognition. If anything, it humbled me and drove me into deeper prayer. But since those two separate conversations, I received multiple confirmations from God.

Because when you read Ezekiel 33, being a watchman is not about status. It is not about building a platform, gaining followers, or becoming spiritually important. It is about accountability before God.

The watchman in Ezekiel was called to stand alert, to discern danger, and to faithfully speak what God was saying whether people wanted to hear it or not. The responsibility was not to control outcomes, but to remain faithful in delivering the warning, the truth, and the call to repentance.

That is a sobering assignment.

As I have replayed those two specific conversations, I have become more humbled and do not take them lightly.

In a generation where compromise is often celebrated and truth is sometimes watered down to avoid discomfort, I believe the Church desperately needs voices that will speak with both conviction and compassion. Not voices fueled by anger, pride, or political obsession, but voices broken before God. Voices willing to grieve over sin rather than weaponize it. Voices willing to speak the whole counsel of God, even when it costs something.

A true watchman does not stand above the people. He stands among them, fully aware of his own need for mercy and grace.

That is where I find myself.

I do not claim perfection. I do not claim to have every answer. I am still learning, still growing, still being refined by the Holy Spirit daily. But one thing I know is this: I want to honor Jesus with whatever calling He has placed on my life.

As I have received more confirmation about this calling, I pray daily that God gives me the courage to remain faithful in this assignment.

Faithful when it is unpopular.
Faithful when culture shifts.
Faithful when the Church grows distracted.
Faithful when speaking truth costs comfort.
Faithful to warn.
Faithful to encourage.
Faithful to point people back to Christ.

Because the heart of a watchman is not condemnation. It is love.

A watchman warns because they care.
A watchman speaks because eternity matters.
A watchman refuses to stay silent because souls matter to God.

More than ever, I believe we are living in critical times. The Church must awaken from complacency. We cannot afford to drift spiritually asleep while darkness grows louder around us. Yet even in the middle of shaking, confusion, and moral compromise, I still have hope. Jesus is still building His Church. The Holy Spirit is still moving. Revival is still possible.

And so I continue to write.
I continue to pray.
I continue to seek the heart of God.

Not to build my own name, but to faithfully steward whatever assignment Heaven has entrusted to me.

If God truly has called me to stand as a watchman in this hour, then my prayer is simple:

“Lord, keep my heart pure, my spirit humble, and my voice faithful to You until the very end.”

I continue to pray for each and every one of you, as you walk through this day. May your day be filled with God’s peace, wisdom and healing. Blessings. ~OC

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A Calling. A Challenge

Today’s a new day!

There are moments when numbers stop being statistics and start becoming something deeply personal. Right now is one of those moments.

Roughly 3 to 3.4 billion people in the world have had little to no access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s about 40–42% of the global population. Take a moment and really sit with that. Those aren’t just figures on a page. Each number represents a life. A story. A soul created with purpose, longing for truth, searching for hope—whether they realize it yet or not.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by a number that large. It can seem distant, like a problem too big for any one person to impact. But the Gospel has never spread because of massive systems alone—it has always moved from person to person, heart to heart, conversation to conversation. And that brings the reality closer than we might be comfortable admitting. 

Because at some point, it becomes personal.

Many of us know the quiet tension that rises when we feel prompted to share our faith. The hesitation. The inner dialogue. What if they reject me? What if they think I’m strange? What if I say the wrong thing? Fear of rejection and ridicule can be powerful enough to silence even the most sincere believer.

But here’s the question we have to wrestle with: what are we more concerned about—the temporary discomfort of being rejected, or the eternal reality that we might be the only person who ever shares Jesus with that individual?

That shifts everything.

We often assume someone else will step in. Someone more equipped, more confident, more eloquent. But what if there is no one else? What if the opportunity in front of you isn’t random, but intentional? A divine appointment placed in your path for a reason?

Jesus didn’t call His followers to comfort—He called them to purpose. He didn’t promise that every conversation would be easy or well received, but He did make it clear that every soul matters. His love is not meant to be contained; it’s meant to be shared. Boldly. Compassionately. Authentically.

And sharing doesn’t always look like standing on a stage or having all the right answers. Sometimes it looks like a simple conversation. A testimony. A moment of kindness that opens the door to something deeper. Sometimes it’s just being willing—available to be used.

The world is searching. Beneath the noise, the distractions, and the brokenness, there is a deep hunger for hope and truth. The message of Jesus is still life-changing. Still healing. Still the answer.

So the question remains: what will we do with the opportunity in front of us?

Will we allow fear to keep us silent, or will we step forward in faith, trusting that God can use even our imperfect words? Will we focus on how we might be perceived, or on the eternal impact a single conversation could have?

Every day presents moments that matter more than we realize. Moments where eternity brushes up against the ordinary. Moments where a simple act of obedience can ripple far beyond what we can see.

Those billions of people aren’t just “out there.” They are closer than we think—in our communities, our workplaces, our daily routines.

And maybe, just maybe, one of them is waiting for someone like you to speak up. ~OC

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A Stand For Freedom

For twenty years, I have been on the front lines in the fight against human trafficking. It’s not a battle you walk away from unchanged. The stories, the faces, the weight of it all—they stay with you. There are moments, though, when I close my eyes and allow myself to imagine something different. A world where no one is bought or sold. A world where freedom isn’t a privilege, but a given. A world where the word “trafficking” is something future generations only read about in history books, unable to fully comprehend how it ever existed.

In that quiet place of imagination, there are no victims—only people living in dignity, walking in purpose, and free to live the lives they were created for. There are no broken families from exploitation, no silent cries in the dark, no chains—visible or invisible—holding people captive. It’s a world filled with justice, restoration, and hope.

But then I open my eyes.

And I am reminded that the world we live in is still deeply broken. Human trafficking remains one of the most horrific crimes against humanity—hidden in plain sight, thriving in darkness, and fueled by indifference, greed, and silence. It’s easy for people to look away, to believe it’s too big, too complicated, or too far removed from their everyday lives. But the truth is, it’s closer than we think—and it demands a response.

That’s why I don’t stay in that dream.

I wake up more determined.

Determined to be a voice for those who have been silenced. Determined to stand in the gap for those who feel forgotten. Determined to push back against the darkness, no matter how overwhelming it may seem. Because every life matters. Every story matters. And every effort—no matter how small—has the power to make a difference.

Over the years, I’ve learned that ending human trafficking isn’t about one person or one organization. It takes all of us. It takes awareness, education, and the willingness to have uncomfortable conversations. It takes communities choosing to care, to pay attention, and to act. It takes persistence—especially on the days when it feels like nothing is changing.

But change is happening slowly. 

Every life rescued is a victory. Every trafficker brought to justice is a step forward. Every person educated is another light shining into the darkness. Progress may not always be loud or immediate, but it is real—and it is worth fighting for.

So yes, I still close my eyes sometimes and imagine that world without human trafficking.

But I don’t stay there.

Because the real work is here, in the waking moments—in the conversations, the advocacy, the prayers, the actions. The dream isn’t meant to be an escape; it’s meant to be a vision. A reminder of what we’re fighting for.

And until that vision becomes reality, I will keep waking up determined.

Because giving up is not an option—and neither is ignoring the call to stand for freedom. ~OC

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All-Time Low

The bar for character and respect among our politicians in America has been lowered so dramatically that it almost feels invisible. What once required integrity, humility, and a genuine sense of service now seems optional—so much so that you don’t even have to jump anymore to clear it. As Christians, this reality should not simply frustrate us; it should challenge us. Scripture reminds us in Philippians 4:8 to dwell on what is true, noble, right, pure, and admirable. When public leadership drifts from these values, it becomes even more important for believers to stand firmly in them, not just in what we expect from others, but in how we live our own lives.

It’s easy to point fingers at leaders and lament the cultural decline, but Jesus calls us to a higher standard. In Matthew 5:13–16, we are described as the salt and light of the world—preserving what is good and illuminating what is right. If the moral bar has fallen in politics, then the responsibility of Christians is not to lower our expectations, but to raise our witness. We are called to model respect, truthfulness, and grace in our conversations, even when others do not. Our hope is not in human leaders, but in God’s unchanging character. And through our daily actions, we can reflect His righteousness in a world that desperately needs it. ~OC

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No Authority

Today’s a new day!

Fear is a powerful emotion, but as a believer, it does not have authority over your life. Scripture reminds us time and time again that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. When fear tries to creep in—whether it’s fear of the unknown, fear of failure, or fear of loss—you can stand firm knowing that it does not come from God. Instead, it is something you are called to resist through faith. God’s presence in your life is greater than any anxiety that tries to take hold, and His promises are unshakable even when your circumstances feel uncertain.

Walking in freedom from fear requires trust. It means choosing to believe God’s truth over your feelings. Fear may speak loudly, but it does not have the final say—God does. When you anchor your heart in His Word, you begin to see that fear loses its grip. You are not defined by your worries or limited by your doubts; you are defined by who God says you are: chosen, loved, and secure in Him. As you continue to lean into His presence, you’ll find that courage rises, peace settles in, and fear fades into the background where it belongs—powerless and without authority over your life. ~OC

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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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Walk With a Limp

Today’s a new day! As I continue to walk out my faith journey, I have experienced wilderness moments on more than one occasion. Those moments when life just beats you up. During those seasons, I am always reminded that I am not God. During the tough seasons in life, I am thankful that God still wants to have regular face to face encounters with me. He wants to hear about my thoughts and concerns. God desires to hear from us and to speak to us. As I continue to walk this journey called life, I am often reminded that my thoughts and opinions cannot compare to the divine, sacred and loving wisdom of our amazing Savior.

As I continue to walk out my faith journey, I no longer walk straight. No, these days I walk with a limp. A beautiful reminder of everything God has brought me through. The struggles I have overcome. As I write this post, I am reminded of the quote by well-known Christian pastor and author, A.W. Tozer, who wrote, “Beware of any Christian who doesn’t walk with a limp.”

Dear Friends, our world does not need more people screaming from the rooftops and declaring that their opinions are the only ones that matter. No, we desperately need more limping Christians, who have walked through the wilderness and encountered God in a powerful and life changing way. We need more Christians walking with a limp, who are more passionate about helping those individuals who are currently walking through their own wilderness experience and who are less concerned about their own opinions.

I believe as we look at today’s headlines and the world around us, we need to stand up and speak out for what is right—to seek justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. I also believe these days are ones to walk with a limp in humility, kindness, love and grace. I pray we will spend more time seeking God’s purpose for our lives and less time screaming that our opinions are the only ones that matter. Today, I pray we walk with a limp. ~OC

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