Today’s a new day! Dear God, help me feel what you feel. ~OC
Aren’t You A Christian?
I thought you were a Christian, so…
How do you vote that way?
How come you hang out with those type of people?
How do you know rap lyrics? (Mostly 80’s rap).
How do you listen to non-Christian music?
What makes you struggle and questions today’s Church?
I thought you were a Christian, so…
How can you watch certain shows and movies?
How can you support those movements?
How do you not support certain political candidates or party?
Are you sure your a Christian?
OMG, YES.
I am a whole and imperfect Christian.
Has the church and its people forgotten what that means?
It means I need Jesus in every way possible, because I am a sinner.
It does not mean I have all the answers to life. It does not mean I have life figured out. It does not mean I suddenly like every Christian song or movie ever made.
It means one thing and one thing only:
I am a Christian because I love Jesus.
The truth is, I stray outside of the lines of American Christianity. I do not fit in a neat little perfectly wrapped box. I sometimes can be like that crazy relative we all have.
But that’s exactly what drove me to Jesus in the first place. His grace shines most in my shortcomings.
So if you see me trip up and get a little dirty, don’t assume that I have lost my way.
I am running toward Jesus, but it’s a long, long marathon. I am a Christian who desperately needs Christ.
So how do I respond when people question my faith? When they expect perfection from a deeply flawed individual?
Well, I keep loving Jesus, keep loving others, and keep leaning hard into Grace.
Because I know without a doubt I need Grace every day.
I love Jesus…but I refuse to live in that perfect little box. ~OC
Seeds
Today’s a new day! If your words are seeds, what are you planting? ~OC
Servant Heart
Today’s a new day! God is looking for people with humble hearts; individuals who will sacrifice everything for the cause of Christ and who will stand in the gap as servant leaders for their families, churches and communities. ~OC
Endure the Trials
Life is full of trials. My life has been marked by health issues. I have walked a 18 year journey of multiple life threatening health issues. But I have endured.
During these trials, I have been helped by the truth that Jesus endured his own suffering and trials. Scripture tells us that great joy gripped Jesus when he looked ahead to what his suffering on the Cross would accomplish. Jesus endured all that suffering knowing he was completing the will of his Father. Jesus endured the suffering on the Cross, knowing the joy his resurrection would bring for generations to come. We are still living in the joy of His resurrection in 2021. And most importantly, Jesus endured the pain of the Cross for the joy of one day being able to present his redeemed sons and daughters before his Father.
The suffering Jesus endured on the Cross was not a joyful experience. As we read in scripture, the pain was excruciating. But Jesus was able to endure. When we walk through the trials of life, we can lean into the promises of Jesus and endure. ~OC
Growth In The Valley
Today’s a new day! Dear Brothers and Sisters, do not be afraid to embrace the lessons learned from your in the valley moments. That is where real life changing growth happens. If we choose to only live for those mountaintop experiences, we will miss out on the incredible lessons God has for us down in the valley. Growth>Comfort. ~OC
One Day
Today’s a new day! As we walk through this journey called life, we will experience brokenness, but we will not be shattered. God’s light will continue to shine through those cracks. We will show signs of wear and tear, but we will not break. No, we will continue to walk through this journey called life with a few extra scars. A few more stories to share. We are just renting space in these broken vessels. One sweet day, we will leave behind these broken, scared bodies and walk into our beautiful heavenly whole bodies. ~OC
My New Year’s Prayer
Dear Jesus, I thank you for another year. Last year was filled with many challenges, but also some amazing moments. Both gave us a chance to grow. As we walk into 2021, here is my prayer for the new year.
Teach us grace, that we may walk in forgiveness, Teach us wonder, that we may walk in praise, Teach us goodness, that we may walk as servants, Teach us truth, that we may walk with courage, Teach us love, that we may walk in compassion, Teach us mercy, that we may walk in humility, Dear Jesus, teach us to walk with You, that we may walk with boldness. Amen. ~OC
Walk in the Holy Spirit
Today’s a new day! When we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, we walk in a more victorious, fruitful life as a follower of Jesus. As we walk in the full power of the Holy Spirit, we will be more aware of the needs around us and how to respond to those needs. So by faith, I pray each of us receive and embrace a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit.
As I continue to learn more about the Holy Spirit, here are some things Jesus has brought to my heart and mind. I pray they will encourage you. Remember, we are all clumps of clay being molded daily by our loving Savior. Sometimes we will miss the mark. Don’t give up! Keep walking out the beautiful journey Jesus has for each of us. ~OC
1). Each day we have to make the choice to live a life of obedience to Jesus. Don’t beat yourself when you lack obedience. It’s a marathon; not a sprint.
2). Throughout the day, remember to ask Jesus to continuously fill you up with the Holy Spirit. Just like we need to fuel our bodies with food, we need to actively fuel our hearts and minds with the Holy Spirit.
3). Keep your eyes on Revival. As we continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit, revival will come.
More Gospel. Less Politics
Today’s a new day! If your pastor is talking about politics more than the gospel, you might need to find a new church. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 