Today’s a new day! Finding humor during the hard moments in life is important, but we must remember how some things that might be just a minor inconvenience for the wealthy, able bodied or younger person can be devastating for the poor, disabled and elderly. Let’s spend a little looking out for each other as we continue to live in these uncertain times. ~OC
Still Standing and Thankful
Today’s a new day! I don’t like being in pain and I don’t like having multiple health issues that will probably shorten my life. I would love to grow old with my bride. But I realize that may not be the plans God has for my life. But I know and I trust that He is faithful. God’s plans are the best and do not revolve around me. Acts 13:36 says, “when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep”. When God has done what he wants through me, I will step into heaven in his perfect timing.
Why has God allowed me to walk this health journey? Maybe it is to help me be a better husband and friend. Maybe it’s an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with more people. Maybe it’s for reasons way beyond my understanding. All I know is that God has given me this gift of health issues to use for his glory. All I know is that I will continue to trust and serve him.
Sometimes it is still hard to comprehend that my life could end at any moment. But isn’t that the case for all of us? As the Bible teaches,
All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands forever. (1 Peter 1:24)
When I received my first diagnosis in August 2002, it was a total shock. I knew I didn’t feel great, but I had no idea how I was so sick. My life at that time involved being a husband, a social worker and volunteer at multiple ministries.
Back then, some doctors shared I might only have five years to live. However, God had other ideas and even though my health journey has been full of twist and turns and multiple life threatening illnesses, I am still standing. Some days my life has felt like a ticking time bomb. My bride has become an expert in dealing with multiple infections,various types of devices being surgically implanted into my body and various treatments to just keep me alive.
As the multiple health issues continue to weaken my body, I am thankfully aware that Jesus is my Lord and Savior in whom I can depend, and that all other ground is sinking sand. I am so grateful to God for everything. I am thankful for who God is, his majesty, his splendour, and his promises. I am thankful for my bride, family, friends and life. I am so thankful to God for the resurrection of Jesus which means I will have victory over death and do not need to fear what my future holds. It is such a comfort to read,
“Death has been swallowed up in victory”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-56)
As my body grows weaker, I am thankful God continues to allow me to truly embrace life. To continue making beautiful memories with my bride. Some dear friends even bought me an electric trike to get around town. Watch out world! I will enjoy the new bike in between my many naps. After years of not being able to sleep, most of my days now involve sleeping most of the day.
What can be hard is coping with chronic pain and deteriorating health while still navigating the physical and emotional challenges of trying to live a “normal life.” Another challenge is not knowing what each day might bring. It is impossible to make plans. Between multiple medical appointments and hospitalizations, it can be difficult to make any plans.
However, I am just so thankful for God’s guidance through his word. The Bible is so clear about what God wants me to do now, even as I grow weaker: “Be joyful always; pray continuously; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess 5:16). God is so clear. This is what God wants me to do now. I am thankful he continues to allow me to live an amazing life.
So, I will continue to thank God for this gift of health issues because he is good and he is using it for his purposes. The plans of the Lord are perfect, even if I do not always know the reasons I continue to walk through this crazy beautiful health journey. All I know is that someday, I will be in the loving presence of Jesus. But until then, I will continue to live life and embrace every moment. If you see me out and about on my trike, stop and say hello. Oh, and wake me up if I happen to be asleep. ~OC
Keep Pressing Forward
Today’s a new day! Life is full of hard times. I do not think that is breaking news to anyone. The nightly news point to it. Our neighbors and coworkers talk about it. Our hearts feel it. So many people are going through hard times right now. Let’s face it: Life is hard, even in the best of times. Disappointments, illnesses, loss, broken relationships, dashed dreams. As we walk through these difficult moments, what does the Bible say about getting through adversity?
Plenty, actually! God knows we’re living in a broken world, but He has not left us to suffer alone.
First, when we’re in the midst of hard times, it can be difficult to remember that nothing happens without the knowledge of God, who “works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). You are not victim of random occurrences; you are a child of a Heavenly Father who wants to turn adversity into opportunity.
We also need to keep uppermost in our minds that hardships don’t last forever—but the things we learn from them do. The Apostle Paul writes the following words in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18,
“Therefore we do not lose heart. . . . For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Adversity in God’s hands can help us refrain from our self-dependency and pride. It can push us into deeper intimacy with Jesus. It can redirect our paths toward our greater good, and toward God’s greater glory.
Tough times also can reshape us. Think about Romans 5:1-5, in which Paul says that “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope… Or 1 Peter 5:10, in which the apostle Peter teaches that “the God of all grace … after you have suffered a little, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.”
Who doesn’t want to be a person of character, full of hope, strong and steadfast?
It’s all in how we react to those tough moments in life isn’t it? A good place to start is to discern the source of the adversity. Is it just circumstances? Maybe you’ve lost your job due to the budget cuts, or your chronic illness is currently getting the best of you. You could be suffering from physical, mental or emotional exhaustion from the current trials you’re facing. Life is hard!
As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey and study God’s word the overall message I continue to hear is to turn to Him and trust Him. Persevere! That’s what Hebrews says: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:36).
Don’t give up! Don’t give in! Don’t opt out! Remember, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
You aren’t going through hard times alone. No matter what, remember to Keep Pressing Forward. Stay Focused. Finish Strong. ~OC
Your Legacy
Today’s a new day! ~OC
Surviving the Bite
Today’s a new day! I love when God uses a scripture or chapter of the Bible to speak to my heart and to share a message. Today was one of those days. The following post was inspired by Acts 28. I pray the following words bring you encouragement.
In Acts 28, when the Apostle Paul was bitten by a viper, his hand or body did not swell up and he did not die. The people were amazed. Can you imagine witnessing that story? But as I read about this encounter Paul had with this viper, God brought something to my mind. Even though Paul’s hand and body did not swell up and even though he survived this encounter, no where in Chapter 28, does it say Paul did not experience some pain from that bite. You see, God never promised to protect us from the pain of the bite. But God did promise to protect us from the venom of the bite. Some storms in life are going to cause pain, but they will not necessarily kill you. Likewise, God would never allow us to walk through a season of pain without revealing a greater purpose for our pain.
As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I embrace the opportunities my suffering has allowed me to experience. I embrace the lessons this journey has taught me. I give thanks for the many blessings I have experienced during this journey. I am thankful for the person I have become through this journey.
So today, I encourage you to not allow the venom of this world to keep you from experiencing the purpose God has for your life through your suffering. ~OC
Jesus and Power
Today’s a new day! Have you ever thought about or asked the question “Why didn’t Jesus ever use his power for personal gain?” I mean you look around today and sadly there are many examples of people using their power for personal gain.
Think about it. Jesus is stronger than the Strongest Person on Earth. He has more ups than Michael Jordan. Jesus is faster than Usain Bolt. He would dominate March Madness. Jesus had the ultimate power. There was simply nothing He could not do if He wanted to.
Could Jesus have used His power?
When I first started my relationship with Jesus many, many years ago, I often wondered why He did not use His power more. I mean, I knew He worked miracles. He walked on water, turned water into wine, and even raised Lazarus from the dead.
It’s not like He could not use his power at all. Clearly, God did not tell Jesus to hide His power. So if that is the case, why didn’t he use it more often? As a child, I could think of so many different ways He could have used it.
As a child, I thought Jesus could have used His power to defeat the playground bully. He could have won every sporting event he ever entered. Oh, the imagination of a child.
As an adult, Jesus did not have to be a simple carpenter. He could have been the most successful business person ever. Jesus could have risen to the top of the political structure of the time. He could have even defeated the Roman army single-handedly and taken over the world. But He chose not to.
As a child with a lively imagination, I could come up with endless ways Jesus could have used His power. As a child, I used to ask why didn’t Jesus use His power to escape the torture of the cross?
Jesus had an eternal perspective.
Now, many decades into my walk with Jesus, I can see how silly my questions were. What seemed so elusive at the time is an answer that is all too obvious to me now.
You see, Jesus had an eternal perspective. He came from heaven to earth for only thirty-three years and with a very specific purpose. Jesus knew before He came that He would return to heaven. He knew that anything material He gained on earth would be left behind upon His return to His throne.
Jesus Purpose Was Bigger
Jesus never used His power to win fights or contests because those things did not align with His purpose. He never spent time seeking wealth, success and power because He knew all those things were fleeting. Jesus knew it was worthless in eternity and promised little comfort during His time on earth.
Jesus always avoided political and military entanglements because His perspective was even bigger than those around him could imagine. And most of all, He submitted to the cross because the lives of those He would save as a result were infinitely more valuable than the value of His additional time on earth.
I Continue To Be Humbled
When I reflect on my life and look at all the time I sought after things that truly didn’t matter, at the expense of eternal gain, I just shake my head. Maybe you are different, but I am almost embarrassed to put these thoughts out here on the blog…and would not, except for the hope that someone else will gain from my weakness and transparency.
We should be exchanging what this short-term world has to offer for the eternal reward that Jesus offers us. We should be sacrificing our comfort today for the promise of our future in heaven.
So many of you are doing this very thing. You are actually being the hands and feet of Jesus. At the same time, others are silently thinking about how they could be more committed.
It’s Never Too Late, The Time Is Now
I want to encourage everyone to never quit. Do not give up simply because you feel you have failed in one area or another (or in multiple areas). Today, take the time to ask Jesus for renewed strength and wisdom to trust Him to lead you. Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. Keep leaning into all that He has for your life. ~OC
A Friend
Today’s a new day! I am always so encouraged when I asked someone how they are getting through the storms of life and I hear them answer “I have a really good friend(s).”
This brings joy to my heart, because I know that a friend isn’t required to stand with someone in their toughest moments. A friend doesn’t have an obligation to a person like a family member might.
A friend chooses to stand with you.
I also know that it can be incredibly tough to walk alongside someone in their pain as a friend, because… what do you say? How can you possibly help? It can feel really heavy to be around someone in their toughest days.
As a friend, it can feel a whole lot easier to just stand back until they’re feeling better.. or more like “themselves”… (which depending on what they’re dealing with, that version of them may never exist again).
So, when a friend chooses to stay in the boat during the toughest moments, it’s an incredible blessing.
I know many people will say, “I’ve never had a friend like that”. Oh how I wish everyone did.
But I will say, even if you haven’t had a friend like this, you can be one to someone else.
I just wonder what this world would be like if we all decided to be the kind of friend who outlasts the storms of life.
The friend who sees their friend through their suffering and doesn’t look for the quickest exit.
The friend who is as present in the bad as they are in the good.
The friend who truly mourns when their friend mourns, and rejoices when they rejoice.
The friend who points back to Jesus as the healer. Like the friends of the paralyzed man in the Bible, we can carry our hurting friend to Jesus because we know He can heal. Sometimes it’s our faith that can help inspire them to dig deep for theirs, too.
The friend who is a friend even when it’s not convenient. But knows friendship isn’t supposed to always be convenient.
A friend’s job is not to save. But God did design friendship so we wouldn’t have to walk through the good, bad or excruciating times without a friend to lean on, arms to receive a hug from, or words of encouragement to help us through the day.
I believe a good friend can change a person’s life.
A good friend, with the help of God, can impact the path’s of a person’s life.
Friendship can be fun, easy and light.
Friendship can also be messy, hard and uncomfortable at times.
But a friend who stands through the storm until the sun comes back out or not is…
A truly wonderful gift. ~OC
The Church
Today’s a new day! As I continue to walk out my faith, sometimes I get a little confused. The following is not a knock on the Church. I personally love the Church. The following is just some of my thoughts and concerns.
Growing up, the Church taught me to love my neighbors, to model the life of Jesus. To be kind and considerate, and to stand up for the bullied and marginalized.
The Church taught me to love people, consider others as more important than myself. “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.” We sang it together, lifting our hands and singing that chorus at the top of our lungs.
The Church taught me to love my enemies, to even do good to those who wish to do me harm.
The Church taught me to never hate anyone and to always find ways to love and encourage everyone I come in contact with.
The Church taught me it’s better to give than to receive, to be last instead of first.
The Church taught me that money doesn’t bring happiness and can sometimes even lead to evil, but taking care of the needs of others brings great joy and life to the soul.
The Church taught me that Jesus looks at what I do for the least-of-these as the true reflection of my faith and character.
The Church taught me to focus on my own sin instead of trying to police it in others.
The Church taught me to be accepting and forgiving.
I paid attention.
I took notes.
I took in every lesson.
And I did what I was taught.
But now, so many churches and Christians call me a liberal.
A snowflake.
You call me “woke” without even knowing the true meaning of the word.
You call me a backslider.
You call me a heretic.
You call me a confused believer.
You tell me my beliefs are probably the reason I am sick. Yes, I have been told that on many occasions.
When the Church passed out the “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do) bracelets back in the day, I wore mine proudly.
I took the meaning to heart.
I thought the Church did too. Apparently not all churches.
Because sadly in 2025, it appears lines of division have been drawn in the sand. Sadly, so many in the Church have such disdain for nearly all the people I was taught to love. So many in the Church stand against nearly all the things I was taught to believe in. I am trying to see a way forward, but it is getting hard when I survey all the hurt, harm, and darkness that I see coming from so many Churches and Ministries in this season.
So dear Church, what am I supposed to do with all these questions and concerns?
I truly believe what I read in the scriptures. Especially those red letter parts.
And today, I still believe everything I have read in the scriptures. I lean into all of those truths. The words and promises of Jesus keep my faith strong, when it would be so much easier to throw my hands up and walk away from it all. But I will never allow anyone or anything to steal my faith in Jesus.
Which leaves me wondering, what happened to so many of the churches and ministries in America? So many seem to have lost their way.
Thankfully grace is brave. So I will make the choice to be brave and keep leaning into the beautiful truths of God. ~OC
Beautiful Interruptions
Today’s a new day! I wrote the following early this morning.
I pray Jesus keeps your eyes, ears and hearts open to experiencing some beautiful interruptions today. Do not allow the distractions of this world keep you from these amazing opportunities and blessings. Do not miss the really important things in life. Have a great day! ~OC
Dear Friend,
Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writings of OC.” This was written in 2019. Sorry it’s a little long. ~OC
Dear Friends,
Several people have reached out to me who are dealing with their own crazy beautiful health journey. So I thought I would share some words that will hopefully bring some encouragement. In the last couple of weeks, my doctors have shared I probably only have months to live. I say this to you, not to discourage you, but to let you know that I am in the trenches with you. These words don’t come from distant memories but from present realities.
The following is a “Battle Plan” of how I am walking through this battle.
1. Recognizing that most of our battles are waged in the mind, I chose to focus on God who is all-powerful and compassionate. The Bible tells us that God’s Name is El Elyon, God Most High, and that nothing can come into our lives that is not first filtered through the fingers of God’s love. God knew before the foundation of the world that we would face different challenges in life and has already provided the resources we need to face them. God’s plan for us in every trial of every size is that we experience victory, never defeat.
2. I chose to view this illness as a gift. Granted, it’s like expecting a new ten-speed bike for Christmas and getting socks, but it is a gift. It is a time to draw near to God, to experience God more fully, to enjoy the simple joys of life, to focus on those things that are truly important. I will thank God every day for this particular gift of health issues.
3. Although my health issues wants to be an all-consuming issue in my life, I refuse to sink within myself. I will reach out to someone else each day with a text, phone call, word of encouragement, act of service or prayer.
4. I will not ignore my emotions (which are currently like a roller coaster on steroids) I will allow myself to experience all the emotions this health journey brings my way, but I will NOT be ruled by them.
5. I will share what is happening to me with others and enlist their support and prayers. I cannot do this alone, and I will not rob others of the blessing they can receive in ministering to me.
6. I will make both short-term and long-term goals in order to have something in the future to look forward to. For example, I plan on continuing to make beautiful memories with my bride through trips and other amazing adventures.
7. I will find some reason to laugh every day.
8. I will remind myself that, in some inexplicable way, the manner in which I conduct myself during this time of struggle does, indeed, impact the spiritual world. The book of Job tells us that humans sometimes get caught up in a cosmic battle between God and Satan, and my actions are key to that struggle. (Jesus Himself told His disciples upon their completion of a missionary journey that God had seen Satan fall from heaven as a result of their actions).
9. I will endeavor to keep my life as “normal” as possible. I will continue my every-day activities and responsibilities as long as I am physically able. This will afford me the comfort of the predictable and common aspects of life as well as helping me not to slide into introspection and self-pity.
Dear friend, who is walking through your own battle, I am praying for you. I am asking that you will be “sincere and blameless” (Philippians 1:10). The word “sincere” is a Greek word that grew out of a poor practice in the marketplace of the day. Everyone in the culture used pottery for many tasks like we use plastic today. It was important that the pots be well made. Most were, but there were some unscrupulous pottery makers who would find a pot with cracks in it. Rather than discarding it, they would fill the crack with wax to cover it up. This would work as long as the pot sold early in the day. But after a longer time of sitting out in the hot Middle Eastern sun, the wax would melt and the cracks would show. Paul prayed that the Philippians would avoid this by being sincere or “sun-tested.” May you, as you face the heat and pressures of this time, find yourself to be, by His grace, without wax.
The Blessed Overcomer 