Doug’s Columns

By Doug Creamer

A Funeral & A Wedding

            Have you ever wanted to be in two places at one time? That was my situation last weekend. My brother’s father-in-law passed away, and naturally, I wanted to be with him and his family as they dealt with the loss of their family patriarch. On the other hand, my pastor’s daughter was getting married at the same time. I am very close with the pastor and his family and I am also close with the groom and his family. I wanted to be with their families as they celebrated the union of these beautiful souls.

            I chose to be with my brother and his family. I wanted to be with them as a source of encouragement and love in their moment of grief. I know my sister-in-law’s family as we have spent many family gatherings together. My brother and his wife host many family gatherings at their home, including Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Those gatherings will include members of our family as well as my sister-in-law’s family. Those gatherings always included her parents.

            I always enjoyed the opportunity to see her parents. They are both loving, kind, and welcoming. Mr. Sherrick always had a great story of some adventure to share. He and his wife were world travelers. You can hardly name a part of the world they haven’t been to in their travels. He could tell you about the places and the people. He was also a good listener as I shared my own stories with him.

            Mr. Sherrick and I had one big thing in common. We were both Boy Scouts. We shared a love for hiking, backpacking, and camping. I was a little jealous of Mr. Sherrick as he had been to Philmont Boy Scout Ranch four times. I always dreamed of going out there for a great adventure. He had some wonderful stories of the boys he led on his trips. Mr. Sherrick served the Boy Scouts in various positions for over forty years.

            I drove home from the funeral reflecting on my day with our combined families. I wasn’t far from home when my thoughts turned to the wedding I had missed. I was thinking about their special day. I looked at the clock and figured everyone would have departed. This little voice encouraged me to drop by the church. I decided to listen and could hardly believe my eyes when I pulled up to a packed parking lot.

            I slipped into the room just in time to witness the first dance of the bride and groom. This was followed by the cutting of the cake and the toasts offered for the bride and groom. The toasts were heart-felt and warmly received. The reception room was fairytale in its beauty. The bride was both stunning and glowing. I was over-the-moon excited to see and congratulate the bride and groom on their special day.

            I left thanking the Lord that He had allowed me to be in two places at once. I got to be with both families. I was able to celebrate the life and the departure of a family patriarch to his heavenly home and the joy of two hearts joining as one as they begin a new adventure together. It was a day filled with diverse emotions, family gatherings, and the love that binds us all together. The day included reflections on a 70-year marriage and the first day of a new one.

            To say that my heart was full is an understatement. The day reminded me that the marriage supper of Jesus and us, the bride, will be happening very soon. We have all been invited to attend, but sadly, so many have not sent in their RSVP. Our admission is simply accepting Jesus as our savior. That makes us the bride of Christ. We will be a part of that great celebration, which is going to be a seven-year feast.

            I want to encourage you to make the decision to accept Jesus as your savior so you can attend this great wedding banquet. Some may travel early as Mr. Sherrick did, while others will arrive at the final trumpet call. Either way, I hope you will be there for the most fantastic wedding in all of history. The joy on that day will be like that of my pastor’s daughter as she begins the magical journey of being a new wife. Oh, what a happy day that will be, please send in your RSVP!

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

I gave the sermon at our church last week. I taught about change. You can listen to our worship and enjoy the whole service or you can jump ahead to about 1 hour and 5 minutes…that’s when I begin my sermon. I hope you will listen and I hope it encourages you! Have a great day!

By Doug Creamer

            It is unbelievable that our country has been hit by two major hurricanes in less than two weeks. The paths of destruction are unimaginable. The pictures and videos are hard to watch and comprehend. There are so many lives that have been impacted by both of these storms. I have been checking up on friends and family who have been impacted. I want to help and have done some things but it all feels so inadequate.

            I have been teaching Sunday school lessons the last couple of weeks on being prepared. I have been reflecting on my Boy Scout years…which were many years ago. The Boy Scout Motto is to Be Prepared! A Boy Scout is always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do his duty. A Boy Scout puts aside his own comfort and concerns for self to be of service to others.

            There are countless stories of people who are doing just that to help the victims of these hurricanes. There are many people who are working tirelessly to help others who have suffered a terrible loss. They are driving supplies into the affected areas. They are helping people clean up downed trees. They are helping people repair their homes and businesses. Some people have created small bridges that will allow ATVs across rivers to bring supplies to people.

            Mountain folks are so resilient. Many who are struggling are out there helping others who are in need. I was trying to imagine what it must be like to not be able to do simple things like take a shower or brush your teeth. Most of us have experienced power outages for short periods of time; imagine what they are facing in these hurricane ravaged areas. I know that there have been organizations going into the affected areas and making meals for people. People are helping and donating things for complete strangers. Some people have spent their weekend working hard to ease the suffering of others.

            Disasters have this way of bringing out our best. We are Americans! We come together to help each other in times of need. No one asks what you think about controversial issues. It doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican. When people are suffering Americans rise to the challenge; we help each other.

            I have heard of stories of high school coaches getting their teams together to go and help people who have been affected by the storms. Teachers are always looking for ways to teach their students important life lessons. These young people will grow up knowing how important it is to give back to others.

            I also heard stories of churches in unaffected areas sending supplies and manpower to the churches in the affected areas. Churches are coordinating and being THE CHURCH in order to help those who are suffering. Churches can help others physically, practically, and spiritually to meet the needs of others.

            I showed my Sunday school class images of people sitting on their roofs waiting to be rescued. I asked them to consider those people to be like those who are lost and do not have a savior. They are waiting for someone to come along and give them a helping hand. Christians have the answers they need and can help guide them to spiritual safety. Jesus is the answer! We are called to be beacons of hope to those entangled in sin. We are called to release those who are trapped in the prison of addiction. We have the faith, hope, and love they need to be set free and live purpose filled lives for God.

            I want to encourage you to be prepared to share your faith, hope, and love with those who are disconnected from God. Tell them about your best friend Jesus. We all know that time is running out and people need a relationship with the living God. God loves and cares about them and is calling them up and out of the darkness. Trust God and allow Him to lead you and give you the words. Your obedience could have a profound impact on others. Also, please remember that those who are suffering from these hurricanes are not going to recover in a week or even a month. They are going to need your help and prayer for a long time. Seek ways you can make a difference for both your local neighbors and those distant neighbors who are struggling to recover from the hurricanes.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

            Most of you know that I am a weather fanatic. I am watching storms days before weathermen on TV mention them. I watch the long-term models and keep track of current developments. My parents thought that I might pursue becoming a meteorologist, but for me it is more of an obsession.

            I was watching Helene when it was just a cluster of thunderstorms down in the Caribbean. I was amazed at how consistent models were with the path of the storm and how the storm followed the predicted path. Very few storms show such consistency between model runs and between the various models.

            The suffering that people are enduring from this storm is unimaginable. They desperately need more than our prayers. People need physical assistance to help them recover. The recovery effort will take months. For some roads and many bridges it could take years. The mental and emotional anguish the victims are experiencing is incomprehensible.  

            The damage from this one storm runs through multiple states. Helene is not a name that many people will soon forget. Some of my readers have suffered from this storm, whether it was the loss of power or trees down in your yard. We all probably know people who are going through some very rough times right now.

            I woke up Friday morning to the strongest winds and the heaviest rains. I watched out my windows as the storm raged. In the end, we had standing water in our yard and the cable and internet were out. We were among the lucky ones. The lack of news and internet kept us unaware of the devastation that others were enduring.

            When our services returned, we were stunned by the pictures and videos of all the damage in the mountains, especially in the Asheville area. I reached out to family and friends and was relieved to know that while they may be struggling, they are okay. The images I have seen have kept me praying late at night and very early in the morning.

            While those who suffered the huge losses need to be a priority in our prayers, we also need to remember to pray for the front line workers, utility workers, rescue workers, emergency and firefighter workers, and now the organizations who going in to offer aid and support. Pray for the supply chains to get resources into these hard hit communities. People need the basics of life. They also need a loving and caring shoulder to cry on.

            If you are planning to offer help, please research and make sure you are supporting reputable organizations. Sadly, there will be many scammers out there trying to take advantage of people who are already suffering. There are many ways you can help people you have never met through churches and other aid organizations who are on the ground helping in practical ways. Don’t forget that there may be neighbors or people in your own community who are also suffering and in need of your help.

            The people who are suffering right now need faith, hope, and love. Jesus is broken-hearted over the loss, pain, and suffering of the people who have been affected by this storm. This is an opportunity for THE CHURCH to rise up and show those who have been affected that God cares deeply about what they are experiencing. We get to be His hands, feet, and mouth to the broken and wounded. We need to bring the light of hope to their dark world. We need to let them know that they are loved by coming alongside them in their hour of need. They need an impartation of our faith that will help them endure and make it through this tragedy.

            I want to encourage you to do your part, whether it is prayer, buying and sending supplies, donating money, or finding another way to help show the love of God to those in need. Helping a neighbor in need is just as important as sending aid to an unknown victim. Listening to someone’s story and offering words of love, compassion, and encouragement can be just as valuable as sending aid. Both can change the life of another person and demonstrate to them that they are not alone in their hour of deepest need. Many people who are suffering wonder, “Where is God in the midst of my suffering?” The answer can be in the eyes of His people. We have the opportunity to demonstrate God’s love by both our words and actions. Be light in the darkness. Show love through your deeds. Share your faith and hope. Be THE CHURCH. Pray!  

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

            I had a great-uncle who was a lot of fun when I was growing up. He was always playing pranks on us kids. You never knew what he might do. I think that is where I get the reputation as a prankster myself. I enjoy pulling pranks as long as no one is hurt and they get a good laugh out of what happens. He gave me lots of great memories.

            One good thing he taught me was the importance of maintaining cars. He said that you have to keep the oil changed in your cars. He said that you need to check all the fluids and make sure they do not get too low. It’s important to keep them running. He said that it’s not good for a car’s engine to sit for a long time without running.

            I was thinking about him recently when I kept putting off getting the oil changed. I could hear him giving me a hard time. I finally got the oil changed. My wife’s car doesn’t run very often now that she is retired. I can hear him telling me that I need to take it out on the road and run it to keep it in good shape. I had to jump it recently because I let it sit idle too long.

            I am trying to run it once a week so it will be ready when she needs it. I also need to get under the hood of both of our cars and check the fluids to see if any of them need to be topped off. I have checked both our cars’ tires to make sure they are inflated properly. My uncle was right, it is important to maintain our cars.

            Friendships need to be maintained as well. You can’t expect someone to be friends with you if you never spend any time with them. Friendships require some checking in on each other if you want to maintain closeness. Naturally, you are going to be closer to some friends than others and you will invest more time in those friendships.

            Maintaining cars and friendships requires something from us. The same things apply to our relationship with God. How can we expect to have a relationship with God if we never spend any time with Him? Maybe the bigger question is: why spend time with God? Some people think that God is distant and busy.

            The fact is that God knows a lot about each one of us. The Bible teaches us that God knows the number of hairs that are on our heads. It also teaches us that God knows all our thoughts. I must confess there are a few thoughts that I wish He didn’t know! The Bible also says that God saw us in our mother’s womb and that He knew the day of our birth and the day of our passing. All this tells me that God knows everything about us.

            We can’t make the excuse that God isn’t invested in us. If we want a relationship then the responsibility to make room in our lives and schedules is ours. We can’t claim we are too busy. We are all given the same amount of time; we have to choose how we prioritize our time. Do we want to get to know God? He has great plans for your life, if you will make room for Him.

            Connecting to God is easy. Just start talking to Him like you were talking to your best friend. You don’t have to get on your knees or even close your eyes. Tell Him what you are feeling, about your struggles, about your joys & sorrows, ask Him for help with your situations, thank Him for your many blessings, and tell Him that you love Him. Those are just a few suggestions for conversation starters. After that, you will be off and running. By the way, this conversation is supposed to be a two way conversation. Listen for His whisper, His thoughts.

            I want to encourage you to maintain your relationship with God. If things have gotten a little rusty, the oil of His presence will quickly fix things and get things moving along smoothly. It’s not too late. It’s never too late to connect with God. The criminal on the cross met Jesus only hours before he died and yet was promised a place in paradise with God. He wants an intimate relationship with you! God loves you! I wrote this so you could know God is reaching out to you and wants you to connect with Him. Open your heart and let Him in.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

            I am enjoying my walks much more now that the temperatures are cooler. Fall is still warm and the days are still long, but I have noticed that the days are shortening with the cooler temperatures. I have also noticed that a few trees are beginning to show a little color. It doesn’t seem like it is time for that.

            I will wave and speak to neighbors who are out in their yards when I walk. A few of the men in my neighborhood have struck up conversations with me on my walks. We are blessed to have good neighbors in our neighborhood.

            Some of the neighbors are struggling with various health issues. I have been checking in on them to see how they are doing. I have even taken the opportunity to pray with a few of the neighbors before doctor visits or various tests. I always try to follow up and check in with them afterwards to find out how things went.

            I find myself struggling with the thought that I might be entering the age group where conversations are centered around ailments and doctor visits. My parents are certainly in that age group, but have I really crossed that line? I called my Dad the other day and checked in on him. We talked about his health challenges and about his golf game. My Mom has been facing her own health challenges and my siblings and I have been following up with her.

            My brothers-in-law and sister-in-law all have parents who are struggling with various health issues and are being checked in on a regular basis. It keeps my siblings and their spouses busy as we are checking in with each other more often. As of this writing, everyone is doing okay with their health challenges.

            Depending on the size of your church, there are going to be people you speak to every week and then there will be others that you might only speak to occasionally. It is impossible to check in with everyone every week. What becomes a concern is when we don’t see a member at church for a few weeks. We expect pastors to check in on missing folks, but our pastor reminds us that it can make a big difference when members check in on each other.

            I have a number of friends that I catch up with on an occasional basis. We all live busy lives and can’t keep in touch on a regular basis. We will plan an occasional lunch or a dinner and catch up with each other. In between times we briefly check in with each other to maintain the connection and the friendship.

            What concerns me is that some people treat their relationship with God as someone you check in with on an occasional basis or in the middle of a crisis. People think that God is too busy or people feel they are too busy to spend time with God. Part of the problem is that we don’t understand that God is omnipresent, which means He can be everywhere all at the same time. God can be with someone in the hospital, another person on the battlefield, and with each one of us closely and intimately all at the same time.

            It’s a choice. Each person is given the same amount of time. We choose to spend some time with God every day or we choose other things we think are more important. If we are hoping to be with God in heaven when we pass away, we should spend some time getting to know Him here and now. Why would He want to invite someone who only checks in on Him occasionally to be with Him for all eternity?

            If you only saw your spouse once a week and never talked with them between times, it would be challenging to have a close relationship. If your only relationship with God is on Sunday morning for about an hour, what kind of relationship do you have with Him? I want to encourage you to reconnect with God. Let His forgiveness wash away your guilty stains. Let His mercy fill all the gaps. Let His love fill your heart. We all know that God loves us, but He likes us too! What He desires is a deeper connection with you. He doesn’t want you to check in on Him. He wants you to know Him. We can know God better than our best friend. We just need to connect with Him through His word and through many conversations with Him. What are you waiting for? He’s right there with you!  

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

            I was walking into work this morning, chatting with a co-worker about the nice weather. I hope we are saying good-bye to the 90’s for this year. The air was crisp, not cold. The sun was shining brightly. The hot weather has its place and purposes, but I am always glad when the cooler air of fall overpowers the hot and humid weather that persists so long here in the Carolinas.

            The cooler weather bids me to come and enjoy lunch on the front porch and to get busy on the many fall chores. I have pulled multiple wheel barrels full of weeds from the vegetable and flower beds. I want to trim some trees before it gets too late. I am also hoping to clean and straighten up the shed before cold weather sets in.

            We still have some time before the leaves fall. I am still holding out hope for a few fall veggies before the frost puts an end to the gardening season. A few of the neighbors have put out their fall decorations, which can only mean that we are only weeks away from the stores putting out their Christmas decorations. I wish they would hold off until mid-November.

            Some friends have asked me what kind of winter is on the way. The almanacs are predicting a milder winter. It looks as though we will have a La Nina winter, with a catch. The last few winters we have had either a strong El Nino or a strong La Nina. This winter looks like it could be a weak La Nina, which means it might follow a different pattern. One long-term forecaster suggested that a weak La Nina might give us a colder than normal winter. The thing to remember is that each winter is unique and that various weather phenomena can impact what ultimately unfolds. As most of you know, I am hoping for some snow.

            For now, there is plenty of time to enjoy the cooler fall weather, and we know that winter will ultimately provide some cold weather. Whether we get some snow or not is yet to be determined. Many forget we are still in hurricane season and we need to remain vigilant. My plans are to enjoy the onset of fall and prepare for the upcoming winter.

            We were reading a story in class today about a young guy who wished his life away thinking that the next stage of life was going to be wonderful. The trouble was he never enjoyed any stage of his life because he was always wishing for the next stage. Sometimes we can all fall into that trap. We miss the joy of the moment because we are focused on things ahead. We worry about tomorrow and forget to look around and take in the wonder that is today.

            It’s easy to do. Sometimes on my walks I will catch myself staring down at the road. I fail to look around at the beauty of the Carolina blue sky or I miss the flowers that are blooming in someone’s yard. I fail to enjoy the cool breeze that caresses my face. There are some birds singing and I missed it because I was stewing about something that really doesn’t matter. The worst one is when I get back from my walk and realize that I didn’t recognize that my Heavenly Father was walking with me. How did I miss Him?

            It is important to plan for our future but we have to learn to live in today. We aren’t promised tomorrow. As I get older I realize that days, weeks, and months pass by so quickly. We have to learn to be present in the present. Enjoy each person, each interaction, each moment that God gives us. Appreciate and enjoy the beauty and the wonder of the world around you. Look up at the stars. Breathe in the fresh air. Taste and appreciate the good food God has provided for you. Hold a loved one close for just a moment longer. Listen to the symphony that’s outside your door.

            I want to encourage you to live in the moment, to live the life you are given today. Enjoy the people who surround you. Look and see the beauty that God created for you. Be thankful for the big and little things in life. It is important to be prepared for what’s ahead, but don’t miss the here and now. While I am curious about the winter that will soon be upon us, right now it’s time for my walk and I want to go out and enjoy Him and His creation.   

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

            For the past two months I have had “extra” stuff I had to do after work and on the weekends. Life can be busy and sometimes crazy with just the “normal” stuff that has to get done. But when you add all the extra stuff that comes up, life can feel too busy. Looking ahead to September I feel a slight sigh of relief, as my calendar looks less busy.

            Some of the extra stuff was good, like family time. My newlywed niece came east to join her family at the beach for a week. There was a family gathering to celebrate the couple since some of us were unable to attend their wedding in Idaho. It was great to spend time with them. I also got the chance to meet my nephew’s new girlfriend.

            The best part of spending time with these four young adults is to see the fire and passion they have for life. Each of them has a heart to make a positive difference in the lives of the people God puts in their path. Their love and desire to serve God is evident in their eyes and their words. It was both a blessing and an encouragement to my spirit to spend time with each of them and to hear their positive outlook on life and the future.

            I had another opportunity to spend some time with young people last week. My boss asked if I could help judge some fifth graders to determine who would get to attend Ron Clark’s Leadership Academy. The fifth graders were given multiple tasks to do while being judged by multiple groups of adults. Right there I would have flunked as a fifth grader. Not these kids! The students that I evaluated spent three minutes in another room learning a skill, and then they had to come into my room and teach that skill to a sixth-grade student they had never met. These fifth graders walked into the room with poise and confidence. Most walked up to me with great eye contact and introduced themselves. They asked me my name and shook my hand.

            Then they proceeded to teach the skill that they had just learned. Obviously, they performed the task in varying abilities, but they all did a very good job. I was hugely impressed by these young people. How could these fifth graders develop such confidence? I believe that the school bought into a program that will change the trajectory of all the students’ lives. They are teaching skills like how to get along with others, how to include everyone and leave no one behind, how to help others live up to their potential, and how to be a great team member, knowing that each member plays an important part of the success of everyone.   

            This school is teaching fifth graders how to be great role models for the younger students. Can you imagine the impact that will have on their community? There are some future corporate leaders being molded in that school, movers and shakers, people who will become shining examples for their employees and the companies they lead.

            I wish I had the confidence these young people have when I was in fifth grade. Can you imagine the difference we could make if we had that kind of confidence in our faith? What would happen if we could lead lost people to Jesus through our confidently shared example? Imagine the impact if every person stuck in sin would encounter the love of God confidently shining through us.  

            We have the light! We have the hope they need! We know the way! We have the truth inside of us! We know and have experienced the love and acceptance of God; how might our communities change if we let that flow through us like rivers of living water? We need to believe in ourselves like those fifth graders. The lost need to see the love of God in our eyes. They need to hear our positive outlook in a future filled with hope and promise.

            I want to encourage you to believe in yourself and in the testimony of God’s work in your life. He has revealed Himself to you and proven His love and faithfulness to you. Now we need to let our lights shine in the darkness. We need to believe that our testimony is worthy to be shared. We have trusted God and seen Him come through for us. When we confidently share our story, it will touch and change lives in ways we cannot imagine.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

            Do you find making decisions difficult? Some people are able to make decisions quickly and easily, while others struggle. Some decisions are easy, like deciding what to drink. Give me a glass of sweet tea. It’s the south, tea should be sweet! Other decisions require much more effort and time.

            Decisions are difficult because one decision can impact others. Some decisions might challenge our moral fiber or cause us to bend our values. How far will we compromise in order to move forward in life? Some work-related compromises might be as simple as having to rise earlier in the morning or stay later in the evening. Others decisions might require far greater.

            Promotions are great, but at what cost? If you had to move to another state, would you take the promotion? If you are single, that decision might be easier than if you are married with children. What if the promotion required you to go from first shift to second shift, would you take it?

            Deciding to buy a car is a big decision. Do you buy a new or used one? That sports car looks fun, but what will the insurance cost? One decision can impact another. Buying a house is another big decision. Which neighborhood is best? What schools will the children attend? How far is the house from work? What style house do you like?

            Another part of good decision making is seeking out great advisors. Seeking professional advice might initially cost you some money but ultimately save you money in the long run. If you choose the wrong plumber, lawyer, or doctor, you might not get the service you expect. The wrong plumber might be too expensive. The wrong lawyer may not make the right case for you. The wrong doctor could negatively impact your health. So how do you make the right choice?

            It all begins with prayer. You might argue that God is way too busy to help with my little decisions, but you would be wrong. God cares about every little detail of your life. The Bible teaches us that God knows every hair that is on your head, so that means He cares about all your decisions, even the little ones.

When you pray, ask God for wisdom and guidance as you approach the decision. I believe the most important part is to be willing to hear any choice God might have for you. Most people approach God and tell Him what they decided and ask Him to bless it. What if your decision is not His best plan for your life? How can He bless what He knows will turn out badly for you?

This step requires faith. God might open a door for you that doesn’t look like a huge blessing or a great opportunity, but in the end might be far greater than you could ever have imagined. God sees things you don’t. He might be planning for this decision to be a stepping stone, testing your obedience, before He blesses you.

I believe that seeking spiritual guidance from your pastor or other trusted spiritual leaders in your life is vital to good decision making. Spiritual leaders want the best for you and can seek God on your behalf and get a sense which direction you should go or avoid. God can use spiritual leaders to provide biblical guidance and a deeper sense of inner peace.

Ultimately we have to believe that God is in control and that He wants and will provide what is best for our lives. We also have to understand that God is going to lead us down a path, not a super highway. Paths create challenges for us. Paths cause us to seek and cry out to God for help. Paths require us to be in God’s Word so we can find our way. Paths will make us build a deeper relationship with God where we will see and experience Him as our Heavenly Father.

I want to encourage you to bring every decision before God and seek His guidance in your life. I understand that daily routine decisions don’t require us to seek God but we have to understand that God wants to be invited into our daily routines just as much as life’s bigger decisions. He has made great plans for our lives and has hidden treasures along the path for us. We have to slow down, seek His face, listen, and be willing to wait on Him if we want to make good choices. His wisdom and love will guide us if we seek and invite His direction.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

            How many of you struggle with left and right? It has always been a challenge for me. If you tell me to turn right, there is a reflexive action that will happen. My fingers will move to pick up an imaginary pen. I am right-handed and I will pick up the imaginary pen with my right hand. 

            When it comes to following directions, I am proficient. I have friends who struggle to get from place to place. If I go someplace one time, I can pretty much get there again. My best friend lived out in the middle of nowhere that required many turns on twisty roads, but I was always able to find my way there.

            Google Maps helps us find our way. If I am going someplace new, I will look at Google Maps and then bring up street view so I can see what corners and turns look like in real life. I am a very visual person and these aids can make a big difference.

            Doors can pose the same challenge as directions: “Should I go through that open door?” Open doors are inviting, but they are not always inviting us through them. Many people keep their doors open on a nice, sunny day, but that does not mean it’s an invitation to enter. Doors in many ways represent choices that we have to make in life. Do we go through the door, take advantage of the opportunity, or do we walk past the door?

            I think that many people believe that when God opens a door for us it will mean we are heading down easy street. They believe that everything is going to work well and that there will be no problems. While I firmly believe that when God opens a door for us it is intended as a blessing, I also believe that open doors often equate to growth opportunities. The blessing comes with challenges that will grow our faith and trust in God. An open door means that God wants to bring us into a deeper, more mature relationship with Him.

            An open door often means that God is giving us an opportunity to develop skills and abilities that He sees in us. That implies that we will have to work hard and push ourselves in order to grow into the opportunity. As we grow and improve our skills and abilities we will discover the many blessings God intended for us.

            I ran the cooperative education program for most of my career. I placed students on jobs and had a training plan for their growth and development as student workers. Maybe it is because of this background that I firmly believe that God has a training plan for us. He wants to develop our character. He wants us to know we can trust Him. He wants our faith muscles to grow strong.

            Think about King David’s training plan. He fought the lion and bear long before he defeated Goliath. After Samuel anointed him as king, his father sent him back to watch the sheep. He served King Saul by playing music for him. He also served Saul as a military leader long before he was in charge of the entire military. Some of David’s earliest followers were thieves, thugs, and the rejects of society, who he trained to become his mighty men. All of these combined to train David into a great king.

            If God has opened a door for you then I want to encourage you to be strong and courageous as you walk through that door of opportunity. This door does not lead to easy street. God is going to require you to step up into this opportunity, to grow, to mature, to build skills and hidden abilities, to overcome, and to work really hard. You will have to depend on God and build those faith muscles. But I firmly believe that God has hidden some wonderful blessings for you along the way. He sees great things in your future, but some of those things are going to require you give it all you’ve got. I believe you can do it. Take God’s hand and head on through that door, that opportunity, God has for you.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com