Tag: Worship

Hope in the Storm

Good Morning! Here is another “Lost Writings from OC.” I wrote this back in March 2019 while in the hospital.

Today’s a new day! As I have walked through this crazy beautiful health journey, I have found there is hope in the middle of my battle. I do not say this lightly, as this health journey has taken a lot from me physically. But, as I continue to walk through this battle, I have felt the presence of God and He continues to remind me that He always gives beauty for ashes. 


Beauty for ashes can look like oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair, and a closer relationship with Him. God’s love fulfills our every need, not only in the natural but also in the eternal.

I want to share some Bible verses that have helped me as I continue to walk through this season of health issues.

“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.”~Psalms 57:1

I pray that you see it’s God’s mercy that has you here. I do not know what your storm looks like, maybe it looks a bit disheveled or completely unrecognizable. Whatever the case might be, God is a permanent safe place; His refuge isn’t one that collapses or gets overwhelmed by a storm surge. No, it is filled with great peace that surpasses all of our understanding. God is where we can place all of our trust.

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. ~Habakkuk 3:19

As I studied this scripture from the Old Testament, this is what I learned. A hind is a deer that can place its feet exactly where its front feet stepped, not missing an inch. A hind lives in mountainous regions and can run the terrain without fear. They are truly free even when crossing difficult paths along the way. I believe this verse is saying that God does the same with us. In His great sovereignty, God reshapes our feet to fit the mountain we are climbing. I pray it brings you some strength as you walk through your own storm.

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”~Romans 15:13

I pray as you walk through a season of storms, you will see God as your hope. Hope that devastates all brokenness and holds us through what we couldn’t imagine through the heartache. We can always call on our Heavenly Father, who gives us great joy and peace that stands in the face of everything we might be going through right now.

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”” ~Joshua 1:9

This verse sounds like a bold ask when in reality it’s a bold invitation. Be strong and courageous because the Lord is with us because He has never left and intends to go before us wherever we go. What a great promise from God who led Joshua and the Israelites into the Promise Land. That same God lives today and is there for you and I. So take heart, for God has overcome the world.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” ~2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I pray that this verse finds you on both sides. Some of you have found yourselves in great need of comfort from our Father of compassion. Others have been comforted and are searching for ways to do the same for those in trouble and currently dealing with the storms of life. I want to lift up the first of you who were so blindsided by all the damage done and be expectant on how God will use His people to give you a helping hand and abundant love to get you through. For those that fall into the latter, I pray that God will give you healing hands as you go out into your community and renew your strength daily to not grow weary in doing good.

I know this post was a little long, but I hope it brings you some peace and comfort if you’re currently walking through a tough season of life or just coming out of a trying time. God Bless ~OC

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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.

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Peace and Wisdom

Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I have chosen to live with eternal perspective. This “Lost Writings of OC” was written in March 2023.

During my health journey, I have found peace and wisdom in the Psalms.  In them the steadfast love of God for His people is expressed during great trouble as well as great blessing. When our hearts begin to grasp the character of God as revealed in His Word, our faith and trust in His ways digs deeper into our souls. The benefits and delights of knowing and obeying God’s Word is the theme of Psalm 119. Here are a few “treasures” found in verses 68-93:

“You are good and do good… it is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes… Your hands have made and fashioned me… Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word… I know, O LORD [Yahweh, God’s personal name], that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me… let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight… In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth… you have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.”

As is God’s promise, my meditation upon these words brought instruction and great delight to my soul. I jotted down some observations in my journal:

God is good and His deeds are good. His hands have fashioned everything in my life. Here are some lessons learned during this health journey:

•Learn His statutes (teach me His ways)

•Place my hope firmly in Him, causing believers to rejoice

•Recognize His righteousness in me

•Confirm His faithfulness to me

•Reveal His mercy to me

•Invoke in me a vibrant delight in His word

•Use my life to keep His testimonies

Everything in creation has been established by God and is being sustained by God. All things are subject to God’s purpose and will. “All things are God’s servants.”

The benefit and delight I received from these verses is profound:

My health journey is God’s servant in my life. He is using it in ways He has revealed to me in these verses and in many more I have yet to understand. I can rest knowing that my health battle is under the control of God who is good and does good. ~OC

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New Perspective

Today’s a new day! This crazy beautiful health journey, has opened my eyes to seeing the amazing, ordinary, everyday gifts of life. As my body continues to waste away, inwardly I am being renewed day by day. Experiencing life with new eyes. With a new perspective. ~OC

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Rise Above It All

Today’s a new day! Tragedy is written into every human story. Not a single one of us will escape it. We will all experience hardships that will test us on this journey called life. People will shock you with their capacity for cruelty. But be sure of this: speaking truth will be most challenging when life is the most difficult. Courage is necessary to remain a faithful witness despite the hardships of life. Cynicism will always be ready to creep into our hearts. But through it all, I encourage you to rise above it. ~OC

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A Friday Prayer

Dear God, today’s a new day, a chance for a new start. Yesterday is gone and with it any regrets, mistakes, or failures we may have experienced. Today’s a good day to be glad and give thanks, and we do, Lord. Thank you for today, a new opportunity to love, serve and be all that you desire us to be. Use us today to be peacemakers. We pray all this in the powerful name of Jesus. ~Amen

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I Was Never Alone

Today’s a new day! Here is another “Lost Writings of OC.” This was dated 4/20/15.

When I was sad, He was sad. When I felt rejected, He felt rejected. And, when I cried, He cried with me. He is in me, and my emotions are connected to His emotions. Everything I have ever felt good or bad God has felt those, too.

And then I realized “I was never alone.”

There is something so tender, no it’s sacred, when God opens Heaven and we realize just how near to us He really is.

It brings something so distant and intangible very close and even touchable – spirit to spirit. It removes the lie that we are as invisible to Him as He is to us. It makes us known to Him and He known to us.

It’s easy to feel alone in this world. It’s easy to forget that Jesus weeps when we weep. It’s easy to believe God doesn’t care, have time, or desire to be involved in our lives. It’s easy because we impose our past experiences with others upon a God that sometimes we treat more like a sidekick than a caring Father.

If you’re going through a tough season in life, can I pray for you? It’s hard to keep going day in and day out when you feel so alone. I may not know your current circumstances, but I understand the feelings. More importantly, God understands your feelings and knows your circumstances. He loves you, and above all He has not abandoned you. He is hurt when someone hurts you. He is sad when a friend walks away. He is heartbroken because you’ve been cast aside, and He cried as you’ve cried. Dear friend, God sees you, and you are not alone.

Dear God, I pray for those that are hurting. Father, thank you that you are with them and remind them they’re not alone. I pray dear God that they feel your nearness in the chaos of their daily life. Reveal yourself to those that feel lost in a way that shows them you are near. Guard their heart as they navigate through this difficult time, and protect their mind, and daily bring your truth to override the lies. We pray all of this in Jesus name. Amen

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Truth and Justice

I remember when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, so many people including Christians and churches in America were so supportive of Ukraine and everything the citizens of the country were going through. Many Americans and churches held fundraisers and welcomed the Ukrainian people into America who had to flee their homeland. Fast forward to yesterday and the comments from the current President and now so many of those same people are turning their backs on Ukraine. Sadly, this is just another example of how the actions of so many Christians and churches across America are causing a great multitude of believers and unbelievers to turn their backs on the church and faith. I can only imagine the tears filling God’s eyes as he watches all of this transpire. I personally will continue to pray for peace and healing over the people of Ukraine. I will also continue to pray for my fellow believers and churches in American that appear so willing to compromise so much for the sake of power.

Once again, these are my thoughts and opinions. Some may asked why I share the things I do on social media? Yes, they can be hard to read and many people would rather I just share positive and uplifting post. I hear many friends tell me to “Stay away from the negative and challenging post. Just stick with sharing your story and uplifting post.” But I am sharing my story. I believe in truth and justice. That is who I am. So when I see things that are unjust and wrong, I must speak up. I do not enjoy posting things like this on my pages, but I have to be honest with myself and I cannot ignore everything that’s going on around me. Even if that means being attacked or unfriended. So, I will continue to share when I feel God leading me to share my thoughts online. I hope you will to. Even if we have different opinions. Let Love Rule. ~OC

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Wednesday Morning Prayer

A prayer for those dealing with health issues on this Wednesday morning. ~OC

Dear God, as you hear the cries of the needy, I pray you would bring peace, comfort and healing. I pray you would sustain those who feel weak and defeated this morning. I pray they would feel your presence today. Dear Lord, bless them with your strength and wisdom as they navigate through the difficult moments of their health journey. Reveal your purpose and beautiful plan for their lives. I pray all of this in the powerful name of the Healer and Sustainer. Amen

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