Tag: Storms

Rise And Live Again

Today’s a new day!
In the silence of the midnight hour,
When the weight of the world feels strong,
There’s a whisper breaking through the dark,
A steady voice, a healing son
When my strength begins to fade away,
And my heart can barely stand,
I remember where my help comes from—
Held in nail-scarred hands.


It’s the power of God’s hope that lifts me,
The power of His unfailing love,
The power of His sweet compassion
Pouring down from above
His grace is more than enough for me,
His peace calms every storm within,
In the power of His forgiveness
I rise and live again.


When regret tries to rewrite my past,
And shame knocks at my door,
His mercy speaks a better word
Than I have ever heard before
He doesn’t see my brokenness
As something to condemn,
He wraps me in His righteousness
And calls me His child again.


In a world that’s torn by hurt and fear,
Where hearts are slow to trust,
His Spirit breathes a deeper truth—
From ashes, beauty comes from dust
He teaches us to love like Him,
To serve and not divide,
To carry hope into the night
With mercy as our guide.


Hope for the weary,
Love for the lost,
Grace that was given
No matter the cost
Peace like a river,
Forgiveness so wide—
All of His power
Now living inside. ~OC

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Take Our Brokenness

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him,who have been called according to His purpose.” ~Romans 8:28

Today’s a new day! Sometimes, God allows us to experience broken bodies so that we can realize we have an even greater need—a broken heart. A broken heart that needs Him. If we will let Him, God wants to take our broken hearts, and pour His love in. That is part of the “good” that He wants to work for us in the Scripture verse above. He wants to heal our brokenness, and in so doing, bring good out of it. And then, as only God can do, He wants to work through us to show a world of hurting and broken hearts that He can do the same for them. That is part of what He means when He says that we have been “called according to His purpose.”

God actually has a purpose for each and every one of us. No matter how broken we feel inside, God has a purpose for us. We may not see how, but God can take broken bodies and broken hearts and use them for good in His great purposes. All He needs is a willing heart. 

We often feel, though, that we are too big of a mess for God to accept. But in reality, He desperately wants us to turn to Him in the middle of our mess and lift our arms up to Him, just like when we were a child and we turned to our parents or grandparents in the middle of a mess that was often from our own doing. 

All that God needs is a willing heart. Because if we are willing, even though we may feel like we’re are a total mess, God will honor whatever faith we can muster, and take our brokenness and turn it into something truly beautiful.

 Dear God, I pray that You will take our brokenness and use it for good in your great purposes. I pray that You will use our “I can’t” situations to show us what You CAN do and want to do in our lives. Thank you, God, for hearing our prayer. In Jesus’ great name, Amen.” ~OC

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Get Up!

Today’s a new day! There’s a quiet battle that happens before the day even begins — the one between the comfort of staying down and the courage to rise up. For many, especially those walking through sickness or hardship, that battle starts the moment the alarm rings. The temptation to stay in bed all day is real. But the truth is simple: you can’t win the battle lying down. 

Getting up each day — physically, mentally, and spiritually — is an act of faith. It’s a declaration that says, “God’s not done with me yet.” Whether your body feels weak or your spirit feels weary, rising is your way of saying, “I’m still in the game.” It’s less about strength and more about surrender — surrendering to purpose over comfort, hope over helplessness, and faith over fear. 

Every morning is another opportunity to complete another lap in this marathon called life. The running shoes are staring at you, and you have a choice: stay down or put on the shoes and head out the door. Some days, “getting up” might mean physically moving out of bed. Other days, it might mean simply lifting your thoughts toward heaven and whispering, “Lord, help me through this day.” 

Don’t underestimate the power of those small victories. God sees every effort, every struggle, every push against the weight of the day. And in those moments when you rise anyway — even trembling, even tired — heaven applauds, because faith just took another step forward. 

So today, no matter how heavy the storms of life may feel, answer the call. Rise up, not because it’s easy, but because your story isn’t finished. You are still in the race, and the fight is still worth it. 

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” — Proverbs 24:16

****If you would like to hear this post in Spoken Word, please check out my YouTube channel at Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

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Real Talk

Today’s a new day! 

I’m gonna be real with you. 

Lately, I have hit a wall physically, mentally and emotionally. 

Some days the weight just stacks up heavier than usual, and you feel it in places nobody can see.

But I want you to hear this clearly: 

Hitting a wall doesn’t mean you’re defeated. 

It means you’ve been running hard. 

It means you care. 

It means you’re human.

I am learning that even strong faith-filled people have moments where they need to sit down, catch their breath, and let God hold the weight for a minute. 

I’m doing that right now, resting my mind, leaning on prayer, and letting the people who truly love me love me.

If you’re reading this and you’ve hit your own wall lately- emotionally, spiritually, mentally- don’t beat yourself up. 

Take a Pause. 

Take a Breath.

Don’t be afraid to Reach Out for help.

You don’t have to power through this life alone.

I am grateful for every prayer, every message, every ounce of encouragement family, friends and strangers have sent my way. 

It truly carries me on days when the race feels overwhelming. 

Today, I am:

Still Standing.

Still Believing.

Still Pushing Through. 

Still Running the Race. 

Still Thankful.

Still Blessed. 

I pray everyone has a beautiful and blessed day. ~OC

***If you would like to hear the Spoken Word version of this post, check it out at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music.

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Change

Today’s a new day! As we walk through this journey called life, we’re gonna face change – it’s inevitable. But it’s how we respond to those changes that matters. We can choose to move forward with positivity and lessons learned, or stay stuck in the past. The choice is ours. 

Change can be scary, it can be tough

But God’s got a plan, it’s time to trust

Let go of what’s behind and grab hold of what’s next

‘Cause when we move forward, that’s when we’ll be blessed

Staying stuck won’t change the past

But moving forward will shape our future fast

God’s got amazing plans, don’t miss out on the view

Keep your eyes on Him, and the path will unfold anew

So when change comes knocking, don’t be afraid

Open the door, let God’s goodness be displayed

He’s got a purpose, He’s got a plan

Keep moving forward, you’ll see God’s hand.

It’s our choice how we navigate change. Let’s choose to trust God and move forward with faith. ~OC

***If you would like to hear this post done in Spoken Word, check it out at my YouTube channel Todd E. Shoemaker Music

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Lessons From The Rain

As I sit here listening to the rain outside, I’m reminded of the powerful lessons God teaches us through the rain. It’s a reminder that life’s storms can be cleansing, refreshing, and even necessary for growth.

In Psalm 51:7, David prays, “Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Just like rain washes away dirt and grime, God’s forgiveness cleanses us from our sins.

In Matthew 5:45, Jesus says, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Rain is a reminder of God’s universal love and provision, nourishing all of creation regardless of our deeds.

And in Isaiah 55:10-11, “As the rain and snow come down from heaven… so shall my word be… accomplishing what I desire.” Rain teaches us about the effectiveness and power of God’s word in our lives.

Let the rain be a reminder of God’s love, cleansing, and provision in your life. ~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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The Unexpected Play

Today’s a new day! Over the years some brave and caring people have asked me “What’s it really like to live with multiple health issues that will eventually take you out.” (Insert laughter here)

After taking a moment to think about that question I shared, “It’s like your body came with a lifetime warranty, but when you read the small fine print, there is a little section that states “starts to expire once started.” My body has been under a recall for the past twenty-four years. When I call Customer Service, I am placed on hold, where a very nice voice keeps telling me to “get some rest.”

That’s just a little humor, but it’s also true in so many ways, when you’re dealing with multiple health issues that are breaking down your body. Walking through a medical journey, will test your faith, your patience and your Wi-Fi connection. You can either drown in self-pity or laugh at the absurdity of it all. I choose laughter. Because when you can’t move or think like you used to, joy has to do the heavy lifting.

See, the best medical team can study your chart, but only God knows your heart. The doctor ask, “How are we feeling today?” and I think, “You tell me — you’re the one with the fancy degrees.” But God looks past my diagnosis and says, “You’re still here. You’re still mine. You’re still fighting.”

When the nurse says, “This might sting a little,” I laugh because that’s life in a nutshell — a little sting, a little surprise, a little pain, and a whole lot of grace.

When I am in the hospital, which is often, you often hear or see a message reminding everyone to be quiet, because patients are resting. But I look around at all the beeping machines, the flashing lights, and people checking my blood pressure like I’m a contestant on The Price Is Right, and I think, “Dear God, if this is resting, heaven’s gonna be amazing.”

But seriously, I have learned something deeper through this crazy beautiful health journey called life: when your body slows down, your faith speeds up. When your strength fades, your laughter stretches further. And when life tries to crush your spirit, God uses joy as medicine for your soul.

In Proverbs 17:22 we read, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” That verse hits home for me. It’s God’s way of saying, “Keep your sense of humor, even in during the tough moments. Don’t let your spirit dry up.”

So what’s it like to truly live with the finish line always so close? It’s like sitting front-row at an audition you didn’t sign up for- but you still get to decide whether this play will be a drama or a comedy. For me, I have decided to sprinkle in a little Daniel Day-Lewis and a whole lot of Robin Williams. As I watch this play unfold, I remind myself and everyone around me that even when life isn’t very funny… you can still find the humor.

Because hope doesn’t always show up healed — sometimes it shows up laughing. ~OC

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Lessons Being Learned

Today’s a new day! Here are four things that God has been showing me over the past few months. I guess God wanted to remind me of His love, care and purpose for me, even in the midst of this health journey. I pray they encourage you. 

I Am Precious In God’s Eyes:

Isaiah 43: 4 says, ‘You are precious and honoured in my sight, and … I love you.’

As my body and mind continues to be an issue, I need to remind myself continually that God loves me for who I am not what I can do. The Lord has chosen me to be his treasured possession (Deuteronomy 14:2) and I am still precious to him despite my illness. He knows what he is doing and he is good.

If you are feeling that you have no purpose, the Lord wants to tell you differently. He wants you to know that your purpose is being his child, not what you are able to do.

I Am Blessed:

As I continue to walk through this crazy beautiful health journey, I have periods of sadness,  as I mourn the things I am no longer capable of doing. Some days are harder than others and I feel helpless and upset that I am a burden on Laura and others. Yet, God promises that if I lean on him and trust him, he will give me the strength that I need.

I need to ask God daily to help me remember my blessings. I have so much to be thankful for. Each day is a gift to enjoy being with Laura and friends making memories. I cannot allow myself to constantly be distracted by those friends who have decided to walk away, for whatever reason. 

I am reminded that God’s word says that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17) and I have been able to find much pleasure in the everyday things around me that I had not noticed before.

When you have a serious illness your world becomes much smaller, but in God’s grace even that can be a blessing. God has opened my eyes to see the little things in life and I can pray about them. I have time to see God answering those prayers and to see how he is interested in the tiny little details of our lives. Sometimes, living in the moment is a real privilege. I don’t need to worry about earning money or running a house because I have to trust that God will give others the strength and wisdom to do that. I know I can trust God in the big things because I can see him working in the little things.

I Am Useful:

It has been very hard not being able to get to church services and have fellowship with people. Zoom, text and phone calls are great but they aren’t the real thing. Often, although I know people pray for me and love me from afar, it can feel very lonely away from the church and everyday life. Yet, wherever I am,  I am still part of God’s family. I am still part of life. I really value people visiting and telling me what God is doing in their lives. It is good to be able to serve the Lord by praying for them and with them.

I can encourage others just by continuing to walk out this health journey, and let people see how He continues to move in the midst of the storm. I continue to learn that you don’t always need to be cheerful and smiling to be an encourager. Just sharing your life and your struggles and letting others see how God sustains you even in the midst of pain and darkness can be an encouragement. God continues to show me that Christian fellowship is about sharing your life with others, the ups, the downs, the differences and the bits in between. True fellowship is precious and points us  to Heaven.

Each day I ask God to help me to be content and to make life as easy as possible for those around me. There are times when I struggle with not being fully involved in daily life, but I know life needs to go on around me. I am still a husband, son, friend and I pray that God will make me the best one I can be.

I Am Being Made New:

I continue to learn that God is bigger than all of my health issues. He is good and his ways are perfect. I sometimes wonder why I am here after all these years, but while He allows me to continue living, I know that he will give me the strength to shine for him. I am reminded almost daily, even a weak and tiny flame can bring much light to a darkened room.

Guess what? God doesn’t see my body as decaying. No, my body is being changed for good and when God sees me as ready, he will take me to be with him, forever. I know that I am more than my illness, I am a child of God and I am loved.

Some days, the enemy tries to put fear in my heart. But on those days, I lean on the words of Psalm 23, which states, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me.” I know that God will give me the strength to keep going until he calls me home. I continue to learn not to worry about tomorrow, but to be thankful and trust him for today. God knows what is coming and he will be with me when it comes.

I want to encourage you, in whatever storm you might find yourself walking through, that you are precious to the Lord and he will never leave you nor forsake you. ~OC

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Not So Different

Today’s a new day, as I continue to walk this crazy beautiful health journey, my body continues to decline and time is limited

but, a beautiful thing as happened along the way, 

These days, I truly see people for who they really are, 

just folks trying to make it in life like me,

Trying to live in peace, with hope and a chance to dream

In hospitals and waiting rooms, I meet strangers not by chance, but I believe by divine appointments, 

And though our stories differ, our hearts beat with the same dance

We’re all searching for hope, for healing and for peace

And in our shared humanity, our differences release

We’re not so different, you and me

We’re both just trying to live a life full of hopes and dreams, 

We’re all just trying to make our way

Through the noise, through the fray

But still we divide, we separate and we fight

Over opinions and beliefs, we draw lines in the sand,

We let our differences define us, we let them tear us apart

And in the process, we lose the beauty of the human heart

We forget that we’re all in this together, we’re all on the same team

We’re all just trying to live, to love, to dream

We’re all just trying to make a way, to find our place in this world

And in our shared struggles, our hearts can expand 

We’re not so different, you and me

We’re both just trying to live a life full of hopes and dreams,

We’re all just trying to make our way

Through the noise, through the fray

So let’s sit down, let’s talk, let’s share our stories and our fears

Let’s find common ground, let’s wipe away our tears

Let’s look beyond our differences, let’s see the humanity in each other’s eyes

And let’s remember that we’re all in this together, we’re all on the same side

We’re not Us versus Them, we’re just Us, trying to make our way

Through the ups and downs, through the darkness and the gray

We’re all just trying to live, to love, to be

And in our shared humanity, we can find unity.

My hope is that we can learn to see

Beyond the surface level, beyond you and me

My hope is that we can find a way

To come together, to seize the day

To put aside our differences, to lay down our pride

To look into each other’s eyes, and see the other side

To find the common ground, to find the love we share

And to live together, with hearts that truly care. ~OC

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