Today’s a new day! Dear Christian’s, imagine everyone we come in contact leaves with a little taste of what Heaven will be like. Will they walk away with a taste of honey or vinegar from their encounter? ~OC
Keep Pushing
Today’s a new day! Back in my running days, I had the honor of coaching a few runners as they trained for upcoming races. I challenged them to run further than they thought they could. To change up their diet. To push past what they thought they could do. My friends were not always happy with the way I pushed them until they crossed the finish line of a race. Then they could look back and see how all the training and pushing helped them achieve their goals.
There are some Christians, who are not always happy with my post. Some think I push the envelope a little too much. They’re not always comfortable with the way I push and encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to do better. To actually live out the scriptures we read in the Bible. To truly be the hands and feet of Jesus.
But just like I always pushed those runners to go harder, I will continue to push the Christian Community to do better. This race we’re running is more important than any 5K, half-marathon or marathon. A lost and hurting world is depending on us. Finish Strong! ~OC
I Choose…
Today’s a new day!
Even if you look different than me…I will still choose to love you.
Even if you came from a different country…I will still choose to love you.
Even if you worship differently than me…I will still choose to love you.
Even if you speak a different language than me…I will still choose to love you.
Even if you live a different lifestyle than me…I will still choose to love you.
Even if you vote differently than me…I will still choose to love you.
As I continue to run this crazy beautiful journey, I will always choose love over hate. ~OC
Love is Choosing…
Today’s a new day! In John 13:35, we read the following words: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Yesterday, someone I know attacked me in a private message for sharing a post about how we should love and respect women in power. It was a post to encourage everyone to show love and respect to women. This friend decided my post was somehow a political statement and decided to lash out and end our friendship.
I chose not to respond to this friend’s message. Instead, I chose to pray for this person and anyone else who might have such hate in their hearts. I decided to show love and forgiveness.
Love should never be a debate. But sometimes we, even as Christians, can get so caught up in being right, that we forget what really matters. This is sadly evident on social media. It saddens me when I think of the ways so many people treat each other on these platforms. So many sides, so many opinions, yelling back and forth at each other, each claiming they are right. It breaks my heart seeing all the angry post and unkind comments.
Is all this hate worth it?
The only thing that matters in the end is not whether the other person was wrong or right, but that we showed them love, that we showed them who God is. Because the truth is, as Christians we have a freedom and a hope that is life changing. In the light of eternity, we do not have to prove ourselves right on every issue; instead, we can live our lives marked by love. We can never argue people into believing the Gospel, but God’s love can draw them to the Gospel.
Think about this: Jesus died for that gay or transgender person, Jesus died for that corrupt politician, Jesus died for the person who wrote that post that made you so angry or sad. Jesus died for them, because He loves them.
Now, don’t get me wrong, loving someone doesn’t mean you agree with everything they say, or that you just accept everything as right. Sometimes, loving someone means having tough, but constructive conversations. This can be difficult. But it’s all about how we express ourselves in our words and actions.
Instead of shaming someone for what they think, we can respectfully disagree. Instead of letting our anger or fear get the better of us on social media, stick to what you believe while letting others know that they are loved. Showing love in the middle of a disagreement can be a beautiful gift.
Let love be the attitude you show towards others. I may not agree with you, but I love you despite that, because God loves me despite all of my flaws.
If we make the choice to live a life of love, people will notice, and they will wonder why we are so different. Especially now, during these times of so much hate and division. We need to step up and let our light shine more than ever.
What is love? In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 love is described this way:
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all thing.”
What a beautiful picture of love. Patient, kind, not self-seeking. Ask yourself this: What do you want to be known for in this life? How do you want to live your life?
As we run this journey called life, will we mess up? Say the wrong thing. Post the wrong thing. Absolutely! But God never expects perfection from us. No, He only asks us to take one small step, one act of love, and trust that He will continue to grow us.
How do we grow in love?
First, and most important, we pray. If we ask God to grow us in any area of our lives, He is faithful to answer. Not always in a way we might choose, but in a way that’s best for us.
We can share love and hope in every area of our lives. Even on social media. We can choose to post encouraging messages on our pages. We can choose to scroll past the debates that stir up anger in us. We can choose not to get involved in the madness.
As we read 1 Corinthian 13:1-3, we see how love should be behind all of our actions:
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”
As we continue to grow and walk out this journey called life, we can choose to do the following:
Love is choosing to respect and serve others…
Love is choosing not to judge others…
Love is choosing to be a bright light in a dark world…
Love is choosing to stand up against hate and racism…
Love is choosing to embrace diversity…
Love is choosing to admit when we’re wrong…
Love is God’s heart for each of us…
I believe that love has the power to change both our hearts, and this broken world. I will always choose love. ~OC
Heaven
Today’s a new day! In Heaven, there will be no distinction between the races, political parties or denominations. So why should there be such distinctions here on earth among those created in the image of God? And why should anyone pray to God to put in their hearts a hatred for people with different colors, political views or different ways of worshipping God? Today, many God grant us the grace to replace hate with love. ~OC
God’s Plan
Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I keep my eyes on God. I continue to run the race God created me to run. I don’t get caught up in comparing or competing with others running their own race. I refuse to allow my health battle to become my identity. I continue to run with hope. I continue to lean into the promises of God. I continue to trust God’s plan for my race. I keep believing. I continue to believe in miracles. I continue to love and respect everyone God allows me to run with on this journey. I refuse to hate. I refuse to give up. I refuse to put a time limit on the beautiful hopes, dreams and promises of God. I continue to live. ~OC
Love Your Neighbor
Today’s a new day! Back in the day, Jesus made both the right and the left mad. The Zealots were mad because they wanted a political revolution, and he made the Pharisees mad because he wasn’t religious enough. The Romans didn’t get him either. I personally believe we’re at a pivotal moment in our history and I think it’s important to stop and get to know and love our neighbors. All of our neighbors. To stop and love those with different opinions. To truly listen first and respectfully speak second. ~OC
Let’s Do Better
Today’s a new day! Good morning to all political parties, politicians, media and voters. As we navigate between the attempt on Donald Trump’s life, President Biden’s health and the upcoming election both political parties and their supporters bear responsibility for the division in this country. Neither party nor politician is innocent. Each party has made the choice to speak and post negative remarks regarding each other. None are innocent.
So, please do not come on tv or social media and point the finger at the other party. Would any of you allow your children or grandchildren to use some of the language seen in interviews, rallies, political ads or social media post? I hope not. But yet as a grown adults some feel justified in doing so.
As the political season heats up, I pray the negative rhetoric will stop. I pray that voters will start to hold their political parties and candidates accountable for their words and actions.
Politics in America was not always this nasty. Yes, there has always been differences between the Democrats and Republicans, but they used to be able to sit together and have constructive dialogue. Sadly that is not the case these days. But if each of us would make the decision to say no to all the negative talk and post, we could make a difference.
My challenge to all today. Are you willing to seat at the table with someone with a different opinion and have a real, honest and respectful conversation? I hope so. ~OC
Hope and Peace
Today’s a new day! As we scroll through social media or turn on the news, we see the world is full of chaos. Most days it seems like people are losing their minds. Day after day is filled with stories of hate and violence. Some days you just want to stay in bed and pull the covers over your head. But I encourage you to not to lose your hope or peace in the midst of all of the chaos.
We cannot walk around this crazy world expecting God to be the source of our hope and peace if we are looking to the world for our satisfaction.
The words above are a reminder, that we cannot expect God’s amazing peace to flood our hearts when we allow this world to be our source of happiness.
In the famous words of The Rolling Stones, we can’t get no satisfaction
We can’t get no satisfaction
‘Cause we try and we try and we try and we try, we can’t get no, we can’t get no satisfaction.
As we look around at the world today and read the news ticker or social media post, remember that the violence, hate and anger we see is because so many lack true peace and hope. So many people have put their hope in a broken system. A place where they can’t find any lasting satisfaction.
The current state of the world is painful to watch, but we cannot give up on humanity. We must remember, God died for each and every soul walking this unpredictable world. He gave His life for the angry person at the political rally and the angry person driving erratically through traffic. Therefore, we should not give up on this world, but love each of our neighbors.
As I continue praying for this broken world, I am reminded of the powerful words God. May the following scriptures fill us with hope as we seek peace in the midst of these uncertain times.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. ~John 16:33
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons and daughters of God. ~Matthew 5:9
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ~John 14:27
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. ~John 13:35
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! ~Psalms 133:1
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live
in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. ~2 Corinthians 13:11
Reconstructing Over Deconstruction
Today’s a new day! I have noticed a lot of articles and conversations about Christians Deconstructing from their faith. It seems to be a hot topic these days. Before I go any further, let me share that I am not deconstructing from my faith. Even though I can definitely understand why many believers are choosing to walk down that road. Have you noticed how some churches and Christians treat people? And the Christian on Christian meanness is unbelievable. It seems like these days if you do not walk and believe in the latest Christian talking points you might just get ostracized or ghosted.
I get it. I have been there. In 2019, after being given only weeks to live, I experienced a beautiful miracle from God. The man given the nickname “The Man Who Refuses to Die,” was given a beautiful gift from God. More time. After that miracle in 2019, I was the flavor of the month among many in the Christian Community. I was asked to speak and pray at churches and different gatherings. People from around the world wanted to hang out with the “Miracle Man.” I do not share this to brag. No, I share this because that part of my life was only for a short season. The “Miracle Man” had the audacity to get really sick again. Not something I wanted or prayed for. But some in the Christian community, decided my declining health issues must be from lack a lack of faith or unresolved sin in my life. Even though many in the Christian community have tried to put that on me and still do today, I never allowed those lies and poor theology get in my heart and mind. So just a few short years after the miracle of 2019, I went from being the flavor of the month to the man many forgot.
If I was ever going to deconstruct, that would have been the time. The same people who invited me to every spiritual gathering and get together, now appeared to have lost my number. Since my health has taken a turn for the worse, I have not heard from many who used to call me brother. Those who were so quick to use my story have chosen to stop walking with the man behind the story.
So, I understand why people walk away from their faith disillusioned. I understand how difficult it is to make sense of your faith when it appears life is falling apart all around you. I understand how difficult it can be to keep your faith in the middle of the storm.
And yet, here I am. My faith is stronger than ever. I have walked through counterfeit churches and Christians and held onto my faith. I have chosen not to deconstruct from my faith; but reconstruct my faith.
What are you talking about? I know, some of you are just learning about deconstruction and I am adding in a new phrase. What is Reconstructed Faith? I may have just created a new phrase.
Reconstructed Faith means God is bigger than any problem we will ever face in life. I believe many Christians put God in a box. We all think we have God figured out until life punches us in the face. But after life knocks you to your knees, you begin to ask more questions. You begin to examine your life and faith a little more closely.
The events I experienced after my miracle in 2019, did not lead me to reconstruct my faith. No, that started years earlier. I am still walking that process out.
As I continue to walk out my faith journey, I realize more and more how important it is to keep my focus on God; not on the Church or other Christians. The Church and Christian Community are filled with flawed individuals. All of us are flawed humans who fail at living God’s ways a lot of the time. But I pray you give both the Church and God’s people a second or third chance. God can and will answer your questions. God can and will heal us from all of the hurt and pain.
Instead of Deconstructing from your faith, allow God to pull you close to Him in the middle of your storm and hold you close. God desires to change us midst of our trials. Even though sometimes it feels easier to walk away from our faith, God desires for us to have an intimate relationship with Him. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 