Today’s a new day!
Today’s a new day! On the final night of his life, Jesus washed feet, ate with friends, and prayed.
Serving. People. Prayer.
It’s no coincidence that those things are central to God’s vision for our lives. I believe if we put our energies there, we will rarely have any regrets. ~OC
Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writings from OC.” This was written in back in 2023. I am saddened that we are still talking about this in 2025. I pray you will take the time to read and reflect on the following words.
Christian Nationalists are busy attempting to build communities of delusion. Their false doctrine is pure fantasy and far from the love and common sense of Jesus and his teachings. Christian Nationalism is not true Christianity. I think it’s time for true Christians to stand up against this false theology and bring common sense back to the Christian community. It’s time to bring back the true teachings of Jesus.
It’s time for truth and love to stand up. A moment for the real Christian community to realize that Jesus has been forsaken by the false teachings of Christian Nationalism. To see how this false doctrine teaches power over people, the rich over the poor and nationalism over global freedom.
Think about the following words from Jesus, “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” ~Matthew 25:35-40
Those truly serving Jesus will say “Yes and amen! We want to love and serve everyone.” Christian Nationalist will say “No, that’s woke. They need to take care of themselves.” You see, Christian Nationalism is a bad tree. Remember, Jesus said a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
It’s time for a radical vision and movement, where everyone is welcomed to the table. A time to say no to division and evangelical extremism. It’s time for the real Christian community to be defined by the openness of Jesus and his love and reverence for all. Something you will not find in the Christian Nationalism movement.
I encourage everyone who truly loves Jesus and His teachings, to let your conscience be decisive.
For me, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back. ~OC
Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writings from OC.” This was written in back in 2023. I am saddened that we are still talking about this in 2025. I pray you will take the time to read and reflect on the following words.
Christian Nationalists are busy attempting to build communities of delusion. Their false doctrine is pure fantasy and far from the love and common sense of Jesus and his teachings. Christian Nationalism is not true Christianity. I think it’s time for true Christians to stand up against this false theology and bring common sense back to the Christian community. It’s time to bring back the true teachings of Jesus.
It’s time for truth and love to stand up. A moment for the real Christian community to realize that Jesus has been forsaken by the false teachings of Christian Nationalism. To see how this false doctrine teaches power over people, the rich over the poor and nationalism over global freedom.
Think about the following words from Jesus, “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” ~Matthew 25:35-40
Those truly serving Jesus will say “Yes and amen! We want to love and serve everyone.” Christian Nationalist will say “No, that’s woke. They need to take care of themselves.” You see, Christian Nationalism is a bad tree. Remember, Jesus said a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
It’s time for a radical vision and movement, where everyone is welcomed to the table. A time to say no to division and evangelical extremism. It’s time for the real Christian community to be defined by the openness of Jesus and his love and reverence for all. Something you will not find in the Christian Nationalism movement.
I encourage everyone who truly loves Jesus and His teachings, to let your conscience be decisive.
For me, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back. ~OC
Today’s a new day! You never know how much purpose and blessings are wrapped up in your battle. Don’t give up! ~OC
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
Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writings From OC.” This was written in May 2023 during a hospital stay.
As I was reading and studying scripture this morning, the following came to my mind.
The Question of the Day: Do you find yourself at times, spiritually running on empty?”
Speaking for myself, I can say most definitely that there have been times when I was so focused on my spiritual destination and what I needed to do to get there that I allowed my spiritual gas tank to run dry.
Let’s take a moment to break that statement down:
– To begin with, there are a lot of “I’s” and “my’s” in that sentence – almost always a sure sign of trouble.
– My focus was on “my spiritual destination” – not on God’s intentions for me in that moment.
– My priorities were based on “what I needed to do” – not on God’s priorities for me.
– My spiritual gas tank was empty because I had neglected it; in my out-of-focus focus, I had left out the ONE who should have my utmost attention.
The Word of God gives us a beautiful comparison of two sisters with differing priorities.
Martha had invited Jesus into her home – an invitation that likely included Jesus’ twelve disciples. Luke writes, she “welcomed” Jesus. She was happy and excited to have Jesus in her home, she loved Him and wanted to serve Him well. But her focus quickly shifted from Jesus to the task of preparing the food and caring for her guests. Joyful service turned to resentment when Martha saw her sister, Mary, sitting at Jesus feet listening to Him talk.
Martha was running on “Empty” as she tried to guilt and manipulate Jesus into shaming Mary into helping her serve. Jesus kindly, but firmly, put Martha in her place. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Jesus told Martha that although she was stressed out over many things, she had missed the most important thing. Martha’s focus on the busyness of hosting and serving her guests had drained her spiritual tank and blurred her focus. She was operating on empty.
We can say and do foolish things when we are tired and running on empty.
– Martha’s efforts had depleted her spirit and left her empty.
– Martha’s joy had been replaced by irritation and frustration.
– Her sincere desire to serve had been replaced by feelings of resentment.
Then Jesus spoke words that convicted Martha deeply and likely changed her perspective forever, “Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Jesus was saying that Mary had made the best choice – she had chosen Him. (Luke 10:42)
“The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.” Psalm 16:5
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
“The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep Your words.” Psalm 119:57
Right now is a beautiful time of the year: a time to celebrate graduations, vacations and more time to hang out with family and friends. It’s also a time to run ourselves ragged – decorating, shopping, stressing about everything we need to get done before we can rest and enjoy the moment. If we are not careful, we will find ourselves running on EMPTY.
Not just Energy Empty…Spiritually Empty.
How can we keep our spiritual tank filled?
– Remember the focus is on God’s Love and His Ultimate Gift to Mankind (Don’t focus on yourself)
– Follow God in the moment (Don’t over plan and obsess on the details)
– Make God’s priorities yours (Don’t neglect your daily devotions and prayer time, keep first things first)
– Choose Jesus, He is your best choice – your perfect portion
The amazing thing is this, when we choose God as our focus, we will be filled, and we will stay full.
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11)
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
(Ephesians 3:14-21)
Finally, I encourage us all to spend more time enjoying the journey and less time stressing about the outcome. ~OC
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
Today’s a new day! When you feel overwhelmed by the storms of life and cannot see a way out, God sees through the darkest moments and will pull you out of the raging waters. Just let Him reach down and take your hand. God will never fail you. ~OC
Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writings From OC.” This was written back in 2021.
I want to encourage everyone, that whenever God does something amazing in your life (big or small) or a testimony takes place, to write it down because you will need it to look back on one day. When you’re drenched and soaked in a storm, it is so, so easy to forget about what God did yesterday. It is so easy to accuse God of being unloving, unjust, unfair, and everything else and forget how just a few weeks/months/years ago you were singing His praises and telling Him how wonderful He is.
All of us can look back on something that God has done in our past to encourage us in our present season. God has brought you through too many storms and tough seasons of life. So do not let the enemy fool you into thinking God has abandoned you all of the sudden. Remember, the enemy’s job is to deceive, kill and destroy. God is a fair, loving, compassionate and just God, who will never abandon or forsake us. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 