Tag: Truth

True Friendships

Today’s a new day! True friends never make you feel like a burden. A true friend is never burdened with stressful promises and obligations.  When true friends step up, it’s because they care and because they want to.

Don’t chase after friendships. True friendships don’t need to be chased.  If someone is a true friend and wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you.  You should never have to fight for a spot in their life. Never, ever force yourself on someone who continuously overlooks your worth. ~OC

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Three Identities

Today’s a new day! During this crazy beautiful health journey, God has revealed so much to me. One of the major revelations is about identity. I believe our lives are wrapped up in three identities. I wrote this on December 20, 2018.

1). Our Identity in the World: This is about our careers, relationships, our standing in society. This identity is ever changing based on our current circumstances.

2). Our Goliath Identity: This is the voice in our head that tells us we are not good enough. We can never measure up based on our past mistakes, insecurities, or disabilities. This identity can keep us from becoming all God created has created us to be.

3). Our Identity in Jesus: In this identity, we learn that no matter what the world thinks about us, the mistakes we make, or our current situation, we are a child of God’s. In this identity, we find our true worth and purpose in life. This identity brings us peace. This is the identity we should be focused on and strive to live out. ~OC

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Friendships

Today’s a new day! An acquaintance has a little something in common with you and merely enjoys your company for a short time.  A fair-weather friend flatters you when the sun is shining and the birds are chirping.  A true friend, on the other hand, has your very best interests at heart and will never decide your journey is too hard or messy. A true friend sticks with you until the end of the story. ~OC

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Division

Today’s a new day! Division has always been a part of society, but I would say that in the last 10-15 years we have seen division grow to new heights. It seems to be hitting us on every level; national, regional, and individual. It has the potential to destroy what is precious to us if we yield to it. Division can separate us from those we love the most; it can take down sporting teams, companies and nations if left unchecked. The following is a few things I have tried to apply in my own life over the years to help overcome division. Not always successfully, but still striving for.

1). My enemy is the Enemy, not you. In Ephesians 6:12 we read the following words, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” The enemy doesn’t really care who you’re divided against, as long as there’s division. Why would the enemy want to stir up division? Because “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” The enemy’s objective is to lie, steal and destroy, and division is an effective way to accomplish all three.

2). Division will always result in disconnection and disconnect opens the door to disunity. I believe connecting with others is why we’re here. Each of us are hardwired to connect with others, it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering. When we experience division between ourselves and another person or group, a good question to ask is, “What connection does the enemy want to steal from me?”

3). It is possible to stand up for a worthy cause, but do it with an incorrect attitude. When we see ourselves or others fighting for truth, justice, or anything good, but recognize wrong attitudes, it can be extremely confusing. A good question to ask ourselves when we find ourselves in the midst of disunity is: Am I dealing with pride? Is my perspective of those I feel divided against tainted with judgments rooted in criticism, self-righteousness or pride? Am I motivated by love, or by fear? In my experience with division, I have found that one “side” is rarely 100% right and the other 100% wrong. I have found people on different sides of an issue, often have a mix of right and wrong attitudes. I have found it helpful to ask God to reveal my own heart to me. David did this when he prayed, “Who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.(Psalm 19:12)

4). Rejection and division often work hand in hand. This is where it is wise to remember your history with people. Choose to remember the times that they have been there for you during the storms of life. Ask yourself: “Is this rejection I’m feeling from this person or group a long-standing pattern? Or is this something new?” The enemy would love to steal the harvest of our lives…the years of faithful friendship we have had with one another. Let’s have the courage to press in and fight for the precious relationships that we’ve invested years in cultivating. Be willing to have the tough conversations. Even if we walk away with a “agree to disagree understanding.”

5). We also must walk through tough situations with the mindset of “Forgiveness is always on the table if we are to walk in unity and freedom.

6). When we pray for those we disagree with, our heart and perspective will often change. Praying to be unified in truth and in love can be a very strategic spiritual weapon against the evil one.

7). Venting or gossiping to others who are not part of the problem or the solution can bring anger, misunderstandings and division. Here’s the bottom line, none of us win when division is given the freedom to rule the day.

8). We have to be willing to look past our differences and agree to come to the table and talk about the things we have in common. Those conversations can lead to the harder conversations. Are you willing to sit at the table with those you disagree with?

I hope this blog post helps you in working with those you might disagree with. Let’s decide to live with the following in our hearts “Unity Over Self.” ~OC

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Convenient Friendships

Today’s a new day! I really wish someone would’ve told me my circle of friends would dramatically shrink as my health began to decline. All of the sudden hanging out or staying in touch with me has became optional for most of my “friends.” Walking through this health journey is tough enough, without friends jumping ship and forgetting my number. Thankfully, I have a very small number of friends who do not treat me like an inconvenience. Thankful for their encouragement and true friendship. Also thankful God continues to walk out this journey right by my side.

I did not write the above for sympathy, but to bring to light how important friendships are to those with long term health issues. A phone call or visit can make a really tough day a little easier. But when those promised calls or visits do not happen, that can have such a negative impact on a person. So if you have a loved one who is walking through a season of health issues, do not forget about them. I can guarantee you they have not forgotten about you. Blessings. ~OC

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Bold Courage

Today’s a new day! Let’s face our fears with bold courage. Let’s fully embrace life, whether young or old. Let’s stand tall, let our light be bright, shining through the darkest moments. Let’s live with strength, never yielding. Let courage conquer and truth reveal. ~OC

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Dear…,

Today’s a new day!

Dear……,

I want you to know, first and foremost, how special you are. Those are not words to make you feel better. Whether you realize it or not, your life matters.

I want you to know how you light up the world with your smile when you show it off. So please, show it off more. You use more of your face muscles when you smile, so stretch it out so wide that it hurts and remember when you grow old and see wrinkles around your mouth that you got them from smiling.

I know people are trying to reach out to you to tell you that everything is going to be alright and that they’re there for you. Please – and I cannot stress this enough – do not push them away or shut them out. You may not want to hear it, but those family members, friends, and coworkers are there for you and would do anything to help.

So, give them a chance even when you don’t think they’ll understand your pain. You’ll never know if you do not let them in. You’re feeling alone right now. So alone that you don’t think anyone can see all the pain you’re going through.

I want you to know I see you, okay? I can see the pain written all over your face because I know the look of someone trying so hard to pretend like they’re alright when they’re crumbling on the inside. You’re not alone, you have people in your life, and even people you didn’t see coming, who are more than willing to reach out and be there for you.

I know you feel like you cannot get through this current storm. I know it seems like your world is crumbling all around and you cannot find the strength to get back up. Your days are spent isolated in your house, and you cannot eat, sleep or find the strength to move from the comfort and safety of your bed. You have lost the ambition to go outside and breathe in the fresh air. Can I share a little truth with you? I have been where you’re at. I did a pretty good job hiding it, so most people even those closest to me didn’t even notice it. Some days I was barely holding on.

So, I encourage you to hang in there. You’re important to this world and have so much talent and so many amazing ideas to give. You have a light inside you that lights up the world. So keep holding on.

Please, continue to take one day at a time. Keep leaning into the loving arms and promises of God. It’s so easy to want all the answers right this moment, but this life is not a 30 minute tv show. I would love to give you a quick fix, but that could possibly rob you of some amazing lessons God is trying to teach you in this moment. But I can promise you this. We will get through this together. Keep holding on. ~OC

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Just Breathe

Today’s a new day! Stop and take a breath. Sometimes that’s all we can do. We’ve done everything else. We have lifted up every prayer, we have sung every worship song, and we have cried every tear. Sometimes we cannot fix everything that spirals out of control. We have exhausted ourselves. We finally look to God and simply say I do not know what to do.

We are silent. Dear God, we know that you’re close, but sometimes the only voices we hear are the chaotic ones raging from inside our head. Please speak to us. Dear God, let the fire of your amazing love burn away everything that is not from you.

Gently you come. We feel the faint touch of your Spirit—a little light in the midst of our darkness. Let us lean into your presence and promises.

We hear your voice chase away our fears. You whisper for us to be still, to release our worries to you, so you can step in. In all honesty, we wonder if we truly can. But out of obedience and sometimes complete exhaustion, we surrender all. Dear God, please take it all. We choose to put our trust in you. We choose to leave all our junk at your feet.

We choose to be still. Let our hearts experience Your peace. You are God and you will not forget your promises to us. ~OC

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Moving Forward….

Today’s a new day! We are a few days removed from the 2024 election. So as Christians, how should we handle what was a contentious political season moving forward? Here are three things I believe as Christian we should do moving forward:

1). Be Careful With Your Communications: Guard your words and actions. Including what is shared on social media. (Check out Galatians 5:26, Job 31:29-30, Romans 12:15, Ephesians 4:3). We need to ask ourselves the following question before speaking or posting something on social media. Are our words or post bringing a sense of unity or disunity? Our words and post should follow the words found in Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

2). As Christians We Must Put Our Faith In God: This should not be just a tired old cliché. As Christians we must remember to never put our hope or trust in a political party or candidate. (Check out Psalm 146:3-5, Jeremiah 17:5-7, Psalm 118:8-9, Isaiah 2:22). We need to trust God during these moments because we know who He is. God is unchanging as Malachi 3:6 reminds us, “For I the LORD do not change;utherefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”

3). Live With A Eternal Perspective: My Dear Brothers and Sisters, we must always live our lives with an eternal perspective. Remember we are just passing through. This world whether you’re a Democrat, Republican or Independent is not our home. Living with that mindset gives us a proper view of what is happening around us in this broken world. (Check out Philippians 3:20-21, Colossians 3:1-2, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Romans 8:18).

Please know, I am not wearing a pair of rose colored glasses. I realize the United States and the world are dealing with some major issues. Sadly, we live in a divided and broken world. I realize there are days we all just want to stay under the covers in our comfortable and safe beds. But God did not call us to hide under our covers. No, He called us to be lights in a dark and lost world. We need to pray for our political leaders as hard as that might be to do (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Pray that God would guide their hearts, words, steps and actions. We must also pray that God would give each of us His strength, courage, wisdom and boldness to stand up for what’s right. That we would not conform to the ways of this world (Romans 12:2). I may not be wearing rose colored glasses, but I will choose to put on my love glasses as I venture out into the world or jump on social media. Stay grounded. Stay focused. Let your light shine. ~OC

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You Matter!

Today’s a new day! You may not realize it or feel it now, but you inspire people just by being you. It may seem what you’re going through right now is too overwhelming, but your breakthrough is coming. You have touched so many lives. So today is not the day to give up. Because there is somebody out there that needs your smile, your laughter and your encouraging words. They need you. So today, I want you to keeping fighting, to keep pushing through those tough moments. I want to encourage you that these hard days are just temporary. This journey called life is not always easy, but it’s worth living. Even through those tough moments. Life is better with you in it. I pray your day is filled with amazing moments and God’s blessings. ~OC

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