What is the legacy you want to leave your family, friends and community? Some might think this is a question we should be asking as we head into the 4th Quarter of our journey. But I disagree with that thinking. We never know when our 4th quarter will come.
None of us know when we will be entering the 4the quarter of our journey. When we are children, we think the 4th quarter looks so far away. We are just getting into the game. But sadly, some of us have seen children pass away.
When we enter our 20’s, we experience freedom. A time to start making our own decisions. Good or bad. A time to find ourselves. A time to put the lessons we have been taught into action. Once again, good or bad. In our 20’s, we begin to make life long friends as we travel through higher education, military and the workforce. Some begin to fall in love with the person they will hopefully walk through life with until the end. Will this be your 4th quarter? Will you be prepared? What legacy will you leave?
When we enter our 30’s, some begin to start families and build their careers. Yes, you can do both. Some buy houses where they will raise families and build beautiful memories. Will this be your 4th quarter? Will you be prepared? What legacy will you leave?
When we enter our 40’s, we scratch our head and wonder how that’s possible. Parents begin to see their children heading off to college and even getting married. A lot of changes during this time. Once again, some good and some not so much. But we press on. Will this be your 4th quarter? Will you be prepared? What legacy will you leave?
When we enter our 50’s, we think 50’s not that old. Then we start experiencing little aches and pains. We start going to the bathroom at strange hours of the morning. Some will become grandparents. Some say goodbye to their own parents. We start looking at retirement a little closer. Some begin to look at the legacy they want to leave. Hopefully, we started looking at our legacy earlier in the game. Will this be your 4th quarter? Will you be prepared? What legacy will you leave?
As we enter our 60’s, some will retire. Others will find a new exciting purpose. A new passion. Some will begin traveling more often. Building memories with grandchildren and old friends. Life will change. Once again, for better or worse. All the sudden we will lean more about the medical world than we ever wanted to. We will reflect back on life a little more. Will this be your 4th quarter? Will you be prepared? What legacy will you leave?
As we enter our 70’s, Florida will get a little more crowded. Some will become more like their parents. Once again, for better or worse. Some will become great-grandparents. We will begin to experience more changes in our bodies. We will start saying goodbye to old friends. Some will find their second act in life. Will this be your 4th quarter? Will you be prepared? What legacy will you leave?
As we enter our 80’s, we will be challenged to sit around and watch life roll by or chose to build into the lives of others? To keep living and making a difference. Some will move in with family members. Sadly, we will start attending more funerals. We will spend a little more time reflecting back on life. Will this be your 4th quarter? Will you be prepared? What legacy will you leave?
As we enter our 90’s, we will spend more time reflecting back on our lives. Some will look back with fondness, while others will look back with regrets. Some will build houses for the needy. Some will continue to run marathons. Others will become authors and artist. For most this will be their 4th quarter. Will you be prepared? What legacy will you leave?
Some will become centenarian. That will mean you have entered Overtime. God bless you. Will you be prepared? What legacy will you leave? ~OC
United
In a divisive age, it’s easy to get caught up in our many differences. From denominational differences, political beliefs, even our favorite sports teams. We tend to argue a lot. With drama flooding our every interaction on social media to the real world, we can feel stressed. angry and alone. But are we really as different as we think?
There’s no escaping our many differences. They’re broadcast to us daily across social media, news outlets,work places and even our places of worship. We are hearing voices of disagreements from people of all walks of life. Sometimes, it feels like nobody is even trying to listen. These are trying times.
It’s tough to admit, but we tend to turn a small disagreement into WWIII. When truth be told, we have much in common with our brothers and sisters in Christ. For example, we are all sinners. We all need forgiveness. We all need grace. We all need love. We all need Jesus.
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should all be united in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Some of us attend different demonstrations. Those denominations have different ways of doing things. But at the end of the day, if we believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose three days later and is coming back for His children, we should rejoice together and lay our differences at the foot of the Cross. We should stand United. ~OC
Unity
Today’s a new day! Unity is something we desperately need in our world these days. We are surrounded by so much division. All you have to do is scroll through social media, turn on the news or go to a family get together. The Us vs.Them mentality has divided nations, families and churches. But the truth is, there is no such thing as Us vs. Them. There is only Us. Until we embrace this truth, we will continue to have division in our communities, state, nation and world.
So here’s my challenge. In our world today. I hope you will join me in praying daily for God’s love, forgiveness and grace to be poured out all across the world. May we each humble ourselves and pray for unity in our families, communities and churches. May our world experience a beautiful healing. ~OC
Dear God
Dear God, all the elements of nature obey your command. We pray this morning that you would calm Hurricane Ida. Turn this massive storm into a small thunderstorm. Fill the residents in the eye of this storm with your amazing peace. Keep them safe. Grant this prayer request through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. ~OC
Know God’s Truth
Today’s a new day! If I know what God says about me, why would I give up God’s truth about me for the opinion of someone who did not create me, die for me, shower me with grace and call me into a personal eternal relationship? ~OC
In The Well
Today’s a new day! What’s buried deep down in the well, will come up in the bucket.
Translation: What is buried deep in our hearts, will eventually come out in our words and actions. So do not sleep on anger, grudges, or judgment against anyone. Do not let it take root. Deal with it in the light.
But don’t let the passion of your emotions lead you to sin! Don’t let anger control you or be fuel for revenge, not for even a day. Ephesians 4:26
Let Love Flow
Today’s a new day! I pray the following words will encourage you today.
When anger boils inside you, let love flow out.
When hate squeezes your heart, let love flow out.
When bitterness grips your life, let love flow out.
When faced with disappointment, let love flow out.
When an unkind word is on your lips, let love flow out.
When the world mistreats you, let love flow out.
When your overwhelmed and frustrated, let love flow out.
In every situation, remember to Choose Love. It’s all about love. Let it flow out. ~OC
It’s About Love
Today’s a new day! Life is about people. Loving and serving others with the love of Jesus. It’s not all about the big gatherings at church or some other big gathering. No, it’s about truly loving our family, friends, coworkers, neighbors or the stranger at the store. ~OC
Living Out God’s Journey
Today’s a new day! Becoming a Christian is more than a one time decision. It’s more than waiting to die with a ticket to Heaven in our hand. No, becoming a believer in Christ is about experiencing Him here and now. To live out a beautiful creative journey.
Living out this God journey actually means believing and truly living out the scriptures. Not just the scriptures we like.
Living out this God journey actually means loving our neighbors. All of our neighbors.
Living this God journey actually means serving all people. Not just the people we deem worthy.
Living out this God journey actually means living in God’s love and unity. Not being separated by the color of our skin, denominations, political parties or anything else that tries to separate us.
Living out this God journey actually means we can have opposing opinions without having division. Being able to listen without judgment or prejudice.
God never said this beautiful journey would be easy. It will take a lot of patience, constructive conversations, listening, wisdom, love, healing and grace. But I personally believe God wants us to experience him in a beautiful creative way, right here on planet earth. ~OC
Help Me
Today’s a new day! Dear God, help me feel what you feel. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 