Tag: Thriving

Timeless

Today’s a new day! Being a cancer survivor and dealing with multiple health issues forever changes your relationship with time. It seems to pass so quickly, and there’s always a question about how much of it you’re going to get. At times it can be overwhelming. But maybe that’s why I always loved running. A 5K, 13.1 or 26.2 run can feel timeless if you’re embracing every moment of the journey.

Before I had to quit running a number of years ago, running almost made me forget my health issues. As I continue running this crazy beautiful health journey, I realize time marches on whether we are ready or not. I am as ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s go! ~OC

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Passion and Purpose

Today’s a new day! As men, our first question to another man usually is “What do you do for a living?” As men our careers tend to be our identities in so many ways. But what happens when that identity is taken away? Shattered into a million pieces when the doctors tell you that you have multiple life threatening illnesses that have no cure. Within hours of hearing that devastating news, what I did for a living didn’t matter anymore. But I still needed purpose. Something to distract me from all the test and multiple hospital stays. That’s why through prayer, I became a medical missionary/coach. Way back when my health journey first started, I was not qualified to help anyone walk through their medical journey. Still not sure I am. Only through God’s help and guidance, am I able to sit with people who are going through some of the toughest battles they have ever faced. I consider it an honor to help others navigate through their health journey. Through my own health challenges, I have found peace, joy and purpose.

As I talk with other patients, I always share the following: “It is not what happens to us during this season of struggles, but how we react that truly defines who we are.” So how do you want to be defined? Health issues or no health issues, that question should dictate how you live.

As I continue walking through this health journey, I am a big believer in being as honest and open as possible. Men are notoriously bad at sharing their feelings, but I want to change that narrative as I continue to live out this crazy beautiful health journey.

We get pushed along in this world by consumerism, but it really doesn’t matter what car, house or latest technology we have. No, what really matters in this journey called life is love, relationships, kindness, caring for others, being surrounded by family and friends. I want to create the best relationships I can, and live the happiest life I can, because I no longer know what my timeframe is (none of us do). So I will continue to live life with passion and purpose. ~OC

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Let It Go!

Today’s a new day! The greatest threat to your future, is allowing the past to think it still has a place at the table. Let it go! ~OC

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Stop Judging

Today’s a new day! If you’re ever tempted to judge another person and speak harshly of them, here are some sobering words from the Bible to ponder:

“No matter who you are, before you judge the wickedness of others, you had better remember this: you are also without excuse, for you too are guilty of the same kind of things! When you judge others, and then do the same things they do, you condemn yourself.” ~Romans‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭

Jesus was aware of other people’s shortcomings, but he didn’t stand as a self-righteous judge over them. Instead, He loved them in such a way that they strived to become better people. This is an ideal for all of us to strive for in a world that loves to pass judgment.

Shower your neighbor with love rather than self-righteous condemnation.

Shower your family and friends with understanding and compassion, rather than targeting them with resentment and anger.

Shower everyone you meet with goodwill and blessing that inspires them to be better people, rather than tearing down everything they do.

When we think badly of others, it reveals our own shortcomings. The best way to improve the world, is to start with improving our own state of thought. As we collectively love more and judge less, everyone will be better off. ~OC

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Beautiful Journey

Today’s a new day! As many of you know, I was diagnosed with young-onset dementia last September (2024). Life has changed in many ways since that diagnosis. Writing down my thoughts is much tougher these days. This post literally took me several weeks to write. Finding my words to write or speak can be a daunting challenge at times. As I navigate this new reality of living with dementia, I want to share the journey with you. To answer your questions and to share my thoughts for as long as I can. The following is a question I get a lot as I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey.

What gives you the strength to remain positive?

My Christian faith gives me deep meaning in life, giving me hope for the future and a perspective of my life being eternal, not simply limited to what I see and experience on this side of Heaven. This life and my health journey are temporary.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” ~2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I have met so many people with different health challenges during my journey, all at various stages of ability due to their declining health. But each person still remains an individual, with their true inner being shining through. The eyes remain a window into someone’s soul, and reflect our humanity.

As my thoughts and overall health becomes a bigger challenge, I see more clearly the importance of relationships. I also see and feel myself traveling through a wide range of emotions, even if they become a little more scrambled with the dementia. Our emotions connect us to each other, allowing us to form relationships, which is a mark of truly being human. As this journey takes me deeper within myself, I find myself reflecting more on God and how to truly live life more for Him. This is what gives me an abiding sense of meaning as I travel on this health journey wherever it takes me. Because I know the final destination is filled with peace and ultimate healing. As a Christian, the ending is really the beginning.

So as I continue to run this health race, I remain positive, feeling that I am gaining along this journey a far better sense of what it means to be truly alive and that much can be achieved to help others as I continue travel this crazy beautiful journey. ~OC

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What Might Jesus Say

Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writing From OC.” This was written back in 2019.

For well over a decade, I’ve been journaling about and having discussions centered around seeking and living for Jesus in a noisy world. When I read my Bible, I have a journal close by to write down whatever God brings to my heart and mind. I take time to look at my life and examine how I am applying the passages I’m studying or how far away I am from doing so. It’s a way for me to allow God’s word to seep into my life in ways it hasn’t in the past.

This past week, I was reading in Luke 13:34 where It says, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

Jesus spoke those words on Tuesday of Passion week, just three days before he was crucified. Jerusalem was not only a hotspot for the Jewish leadership that opposed Jesus, but it was also one of the homes of King Herod. Luke reported that Jesus said these words after some Pharisees warned him to leave because Herod wanted to kill Jesus.

In response, Jesus lamented that the people in Jerusalem had not welcomed him or allowed him to change their spiritual lives and eternal destination.

This got me start thinking. What might Jesus say to me?”

“Todd, how often I have longed to tell you your worth, but you looked to the world and not me.”

“Todd, how often I have longed to tell you that you could, but you listened to your own insecurities or the negative voices around you instead.”

“Todd, how often I have longed to show you the way out, but you were looking the wrong way.”

“Todd, how often I have longed to slap that phone or device out of your hand and tell you I am all you need.”

“Todd, how often I have wanted to speak to you, but your job or ministry work was more important.”

What about you? If Jesus was in front of you right now, what might he say to you? What would his lament sound like in your life?

Whatever that lament is—and I hope you take the time to think about it—you don’t have to stay stuck, and you don’t have to keep looking within yourself or to social media or to a self-help book for the answers to your questions or problems. You don’t have to keep fretting about the latest political news or worry that your friends on social media seem to have a better life than you.

Going to yourself or the world fills you with empty promises that things will get better and that you can look to yourself for change. Eventually those things come up woefully short. The peace you and I long for, the guidance we need, the encouragement to keep going is found not in us or the world but in the Word of God and in community with His people.

I believe life is much fuller when we take the Word of God seriously, examine it, and apply it. It’s about not just reading or listening to the Word only to walk away to the same habits that keep us in the same vicious cycle. No, when we do life with other mature Christians, they will remind us that God is in control and working in ways we cannot see. They will help us plant our faith so deeply in God that we are unshakable in the worst of storms.

Perhaps the greatest advantage to being in God’s Word is going back to Him after the world or our own insecurities beat us up to find God’s love isn’t fleeting. It’s easy to see our failures and the way things aren’t what we hoped. But God’s Word is like a constant cheerleader, reminding us we aren’t too damaged and haven’t wandered too far from His grace.

Jesus may lament that we get it wrong more often than we should, but only to make us stop long enough to get our attention off of us, away from the world, and back to him. Over and over his Word reminds us of our worth, our mission, and his love. We get to know the character of Jesus, and that’s when we know that after he cringes in lament, he’s sure to add encouragement like:

“I got that. You’re forgiven. Move on.”

“I know you’re trying, and I know it’s hard. Don’t give up.”

“They don’t understand, but I do.”

“I love that about you.”

“I saw that. It was amazing. Don’t ever stop doing that.”

Those are words I love to hear from God. How about you? ~OC

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Gratitude

Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writings From OC.” This was written in 2022.~OC

When life is easy, gratitude is easy. But not in the storms. Not in the worried nights when anxiety is overwhelming us. Not in the hospital when pacing the floors hoping for good news. Gratitude hinges on our willingness to accept God’s will over our own. Accepting that He is in control, and we can trust Him.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, we see God’s instruction to always be thankful: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

In the storms of life, God is our only hope. His faithfulness and His goodness are present even during the darkest moments. It might not happen immediately, but thankfulness grows as we cling to Him. We are grateful not only for the joys of restored health, restored relationships and overcoming grief, but for the sorrows that brought us to a place of utter dependence on Jesus.

Today, before your day gets too busy with meetings and a to do list to get through, take some time to reflect on what God has done in your life. Offer gratitude not only for the “easy-sailing” blessings, but also for the lessons learned during the storms.

Dear God, thank You not only for Your countless blessings, but for the challenges that draw us near to You. For the lessons learned during the storm. Thank You for the hard moments when You gave us the strength to wait out the storm. You are so good. Whatever storms come into our lives, You are our Rock and our Shelter. Thank You for Your light that surrounds us, and Your love that never fails. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Seeds

Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writing from OC.” I wrote this back in May 2019. ~OC

Prayers are like seeds. You plant them, you tend to them, but they take time to grow. Just like plants have different seasons of harvest, our prayers also have different seasons of harvest.

Some of our prayers are meant for the future not today, while some are for the present.

When the results of our prayers seem to be delayed, rely on God and never relent as none of our prayers will be wasted.

Just like flowers and crops bloom at the appointed time, our prayers will bloom in the right season.

When you feel tired and discouraged that God is not listening, I encourage you to keep leaning into God’s promises. Be revived and continue praying.

God is always walking with us during the different seasons of life and He will never disappoint.

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Leaning and Learning

Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I want to continue sharing some wisdom and life lessons with you. I pray they will challenge and encourage at least one person.

Today’s Lesson: Leaning and Learning

There’s nothing wrong with looking to others for advice when it comes to our spiritual growth, but just as in life, there comes a time in our road to maturity where we need to assume responsibility for our own relationship with Christ.

The truth is, we will never outgrow the wisdom of seeking advice from others, but there is a difference between leaning on and learning from others and not being mature enough to take responsibility for oneself.

If we are going to truly thrive and not just barely survive, I believe there are at least three lessons that can help us to take responsibility for our Christian life:

1). Constantly renewing our love relationship with Jesus.

2). Being in community with others.

3). Growing in our understanding of who Jesus is, primarily through growing in our understanding of Scripture so that we are not mislead by false teaching, the enemy, or our own preconceived ideas.

I will not take the time to break each of these lessons down, but we must constantly be renewing our love relationship with Jesus. And I believe these three lessons can help us do that.

As I was writing this post, I was reminded of the story of the foolish husband who mentioned to his wife, “Why do you always ask if I love you? I told you during our wedding vows that I did, and I will let know if that ever changes.” Just like any relationship, our relationship with Jesus needs continual expression of our love for him and reminders of his love for us. Jesus probably doesn’t need the constant reminders, but we certainly do. ~OC

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”~Romans 12:1-2

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