Doug’s Columns

By Doug Creamer

My parents were born one day apart in a small town in Pennsylvania. They were born in late November so sometimes their birthdays fall on Thanksgiving weekend. Over the years, because their birthdays fell near Thanksgiving, I often missed seeing them on their big day. This year we were lucky that the two celebrations were at different times.

            My dad likes to get as many of the kids and their spouses together for a nice dinner out. Well, that wasn’t going to happen this year. We planned a nice dinner, take out, at my brother’s house. The food was great and it was a nice time to honor my dad.

My brother always strives to create a memory that will be something special to carry the rest of your life. This year he created a list of questions that we would each have to answer so we would learn something about one another. We shared plenty of laughs, but also some great memories from each other’s lives. Even though we are family, we sometimes miss special moments in each other’s lives. Hearing those stories in the context of love made for a very special evening, indeed.

            Over the years we have done many different things for my mom. One year, when my mom was living up in Virginia, my sister and I drove up to her house and took her out for dinner. It was a very special time we had together, sharing plenty of love and laughter. My sister and I got to spend some great time together in the car, talking and sharing non-stop.

            This year we gathered at my mom’s house and shared a delicious home-cooked meal, prepared by my sister. It was special having us all together, sharing some laughs and hearing more about each other’s lives. After we ate, we helped my mom set up her Christmas tree. My mom loves Christmas and it was fun to help her get the tree set up.

            I am thankful that my family remains close even though we are all separated by many miles. My parents have four children. There are twelve grandchildren, many of whom are now married with children of their own. I have lost count of how many we have now, and there are more on the way. It’s amazing that this big family all started with two people, my parents.

            No family is perfect, but we are still family and we are there for each other. I know that many of you have just spent some time with your family over the Thanksgiving holiday. Hopefully, you were able to enjoy some great food, good fellowship, safe travel, and no sickness. I hate that COVID could mess up so many holiday traditions that involve spending time with family and loved ones. Hopefully, we can all discover ways around it and stay safe, too.

            It is so important that we keep and maintain the connection we have with each other. It isn’t the same if you do it over the phone or through video calls, but it still allows you to connect. Sometimes video calls are the only way to connect when you are miles apart.

            My pastor always likes to share a meal with people. There is something about sitting around a table and just talking that builds bonds. Jesus did it with His disciples. It allows you to be close, to connect on many different levels. Often barriers fall and hearts become more open. There is a kind of intimacy that you experience when you share a meal.

            I know that COVID has thrown a wrench in many holiday plans. If you can’t have a large family gathering, try to have several small ones, perhaps outdoors. If you do, you can spread the celebration out and still enjoy family connections. Sharing the meals, the laughs, and those stories you have heard over and over again, should be cherished; they are memories for a lifetime.

            I want to encourage you to enter this holiday season with joy in your heart. Follow the guidelines, but don’t allow the circumstances to squash the spirit of this wonderful season. Eat the food, enjoy the fellowship – however you have to do it – share some laughs, tell some new stories, and make this a holiday season you will always remember. It’s about family, friends, faith, and hope. It’s about God’s great love for us and us sharing that with each other. This holiday season, regardless of the circumstances, share the love and hope that is in your heart.

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

By Doug Creamer

The weather has begun to cool down and the leaves are almost all down. The signals are all around; it is about time for eating season to arrive. We have some wonderful holidays at this time of year that celebrate delicious food. I have to say that I am thankful for all the good food that we will soon be enjoying.

            The trouble I see is getting all the people together to eat all this wonderful food. This year we are facing restrictions surrounding gatherings. The good part about the gatherings is everyone brings their favorite recipes. So we eat delicious food and then we get to spend time talking with some family and good friends. With the gathering restrictions that are in place, how will that affect the Thanksgiving feast?

            Both sides of my family are planning “different” gatherings. There will be some people and some of the good food, but not all the people with all the good food. We’re not exactly sure what we are going to do. We will eat some good food, wash some dishes…another tradition for the holidays…and I will find a paper to look at all the Black Friday sales.

            I am looking forward to watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. I thought they might cancel it, but have read that it will go on, but look different. We have to see all the big balloons going down the streets of New York. I guess the crowds will be smaller, but I am not sure how you will keep people away from such a fun and traditional event.

            I hope that nothing will stand in the way of one of the most important traditions from Thanksgiving. It is one day when we as Americans stop and reflect on the things for which we are most thankful. While COVID has been such a bad negative in our lives this year, there are still so many things that we can reflect back on with great thanks.

            The first thing that pops into my mind is that many families have had more time together. I have heard people talking about playing family games and watching movies together. We have watched more movies together and enjoyed more quiet meals at home. We have actually been wondering if we will even want to go back to eating out again.

            This year I have developed a deeper appreciation for my wife and my family. My wife and I have spent more quality time together and enjoyed each other’s company. I was glad when the restrictions lifted and I could see my mom again. I have had more lunches with my brother and sister than I have in many years. I have taken the opportunity to see my dad a little more often, too. Family is so important and I am thankful for mine.

            One thing that I have really enjoyed this year is reading. I have read more books this year than in any previous year of my life. Having the time and opportunity to read and enjoy books has been such a great blessing. I have also discovered some new authors.

            I have been especially thankful for my church during this crazy COVID year. We have worked hard to live within the restrictions and yet try to connect with each other. My pastor constantly challenges us to be wise, but not to live in fear. The truth is we need each other, now more than ever. I hope you are finding ways to stay connected to your church family.

            This year I have found myself more thankful for little things. The warmth of the sunshine, the sound of rain falling, flowers, hummingbirds, fall colors, and seeing the birds at the birdfeeder. I have enjoyed the peacefulness of sitting on my porch or going for a walk. We have developed new routines of getting food in on Friday and Saturday nights and watching movies. I am rediscovering that simple things can bring great pleasure.

            I want to encourage you to take a few moments and think about all the ways God has truly blessed you this year. I will be the first to admit that COVID has changed our lives, but that shouldn’t stop any of us from giving thanks to God. God loves to hear our hearts rejoice and giving thanks. A thankful heart and attitude can change our perspective on life. God is good. He deserves our thanks and praise. However you are choosing to celebrate Thanksgiving, don’t forget to spend a few moments giving thanks.

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

By Doug Creamer

            A few weeks ago my sister shared a book with me that I have wanted to read. The book is about personalities. My wife and I and several friends have the personality that this book describes and I am finding what I am learning to be very interesting. I am beginning to see why we think and act in certain ways.

            The personality book was getting heavy and deep and I decided that I needed a break. I looked through my Kindle and found a fictional story that I thought might brighten the mood. It looked fun, interesting and a lighter change of pace.

            The fictional story challenges the reader to consider the urgency that we should all have to share our faith with those in our circle of influence. The book doesn’t gently suggest this need, it hammers it home. I almost felt like I needed a break from this book. I’m almost finished and I have received its message.

            Last Sunday my pastor said he had a book that he encouraged us to read. The book offered hope during stressful times. We are definitely living through troubled times. Between a pandemic, the election, and the social unrest, we all need a deposit of hope. I immediately began reading my new book.

            The author of the book on hope is a pastor from California. I have heard him on CDs and have watched him on YouTube. Actually, I have read a few of his other books, too. What I really love about this book is that it challenges my thinking about all that is going on in the world. My faith and hope must be firmly planted in Jesus so that the events of the world will not affect my foundation.

            Faith, hope, and love are critical to growing and maintaining our faith. Another cornerstone that I believe is vital is encouraging each other in our Christian walk. I think it is so critical that I devote my writing to accomplish that purpose. I have a gift and a calling to encourage people. I often feel inadequate, but somehow the Holy Spirit uses me.

            That is part of the reason I started my website, EncouragingU.com. I knew that there were other writers like me out there who wanted a place where they could share their message of hope. I feel like after you have consumed the news for the day, your spirit needs to be refreshed and encouraged. That’s what I hope we are doing.

            During the summer, I had the idea to get this group of writers together to create a book for Christmas. The idea was to bring our positive and encouraging voices together to focus our thoughts on the birth of our Lord. We have been working hard to tie up all the loose ends and get the book ready for the holidays.

            The book’s title, “An EncourgingU Christmas” sets the tone. You’ll find a fictional retelling of the birth of Christ. There is a story about three lost souls who find healing through the holiday spirit. There are some devotionals and a number of columns that will help you prepare your heart for Christmas. It will be available soon at Amazon.

            I believe in the power of our words. Parents, teachers, and coaches who speak negative things over the children in their charge can crush a budding spirit. In the same way, positive and encouraging words, which can include correction, can help mold and build possibilities and futures that are hard to imagine.

            The media is full of negative and fearful information that can overwhelm our minds. That’s why I believe so much in what I am doing through EncouragingU.com. I want to help build people up and to help them see the good possibilities. After all, we serve the God of the impossible. We need to refocus our minds on Him. We need to remind ourselves that He can do great things in and through us.

            I want to encourage you to stir up your faith, hope, and love. It is important to be informed, to know what is going on in the world around you. It is equally important to refresh your spirit by filling your mind with God’s word and other positive and encouraging things. It’s important to remind yourself of God’s great love and His goodness. There is nothing too big for Him. He is not surprised by anything that happens in your life. God is watching over you. He wants you to trust Him, lean on Him, and to know His favor is resting on you.

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

By Doug Creamer

Final Harvest

            Is it really November? It is getting dark awfully early. While I really enjoy the cooler temperatures of fall and the beautiful leaves, I really don’t like the shorter days. We will get a reprieve from the darkness when everyone gets their Christmas lights up, which will probably be in a couple of weeks. I always feel like the year picks up speed as we hit November. There is always so much to do, but I imagine COVID will put the brakes on that, too.

            The recent cold spell put an end to the gardening season. I need the rest and a chance for the weeds to die back. It’s time to regroup and make plans for next year. I did go out and pick my final harvest. I picked a bowl full of cherry tomatoes that might last until Christmas. We harvested some butter beans and I dug my sweet potatoes. I even picked some late raspberries.

            The big wind from the…how many hurricanes did we get this year? Anyway, the wind blew down some beautiful sunflowers that were growing. I am not sure the seeds were completely formed. They were a nice fall treat this year. The fall corn I had hoped for was stunted, blown down, and what little grew was eaten by the squirrels. We need some hawks to help reduce the surplus of squirrels in our area.

            There were some successes and some letdowns in the garden this year, but that’s normal. Gardening is about getting out there working the soil and hoping for a harvest. Something you grow always tastes better than anything from the store. So I will soon begin dreaming about what I will try to grow next year, but for now, I will enjoy the rest.

            The goal of sowing seed is to receive a harvest. I believe if we all stepped back and looked at the people we know we would discover people who are in various stages of the gardening season. I imagine each of us knows people who have never considered the need for a savior. They lead broken lives and don’t know that there is a God in heaven who loves them. These people need a gardener to sow some seeds of faith in their lives.

            All of us know people who once had a vibrant faith, but the weeds of the world have stunted their growth and threaten to crush their hope. These people need a gardener to pull the weeds of worry, fear, doubt, anger, and disappointment out of their lives. They need someone to come along and water their lives with faith, hope, and love. Sometimes the weeds become so overwhelming that we need help to break free.

            Many people have been cut off due to COVID. They have stopped attending church or even watching their services online. When we become disconnected it is easy to become discouraged. The walk of faith is challenging in the best of times. Losing connection and the opportunity to challenge and encourage each other can cause our spiritual growth to become weak. We have to work if we want to stay connected. I need you and you need me if we are hoping to maintain our faith and grow spiritually.

            Finally, there are people in all our lives who are ready to meet Jesus. They have looked in all the wrong places for the peace they deeply desire. They may have attended church at one point in their lives, but have never made a personal commitment. They need to hear the truth that God loves them unconditionally. They need someone to do the honor of introducing them to Jesus, to let them know they are invited in no matter what they have done.

            I believe that Jesus needs you and me now more than ever to help him work in His garden. There are souls that need to be harvested, hearts that need to be healed, broken lives that need His healing touch, and people who need to hear the good news for the first time. Jesus is dependent upon each of us doing our part to help.

I want to encourage you to open your eyes and see the people in your life that are waiting to hear a word from you. Some need a life preserver, while others may just need a little word of encouragement. Jesus needs you to do your part, especially now in these crazy times we find ourselves living in. We know the power of faith, hope, and love to change lives. Be willing and available to God and I believe you will make a difference in someone’s life this week.

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

By Doug Creamer

            I am very blessed to have a number of very good friends. I invest time to build friendships. When my phone rang a few weeks ago and I heard the voice of my best friend’s wife, I knew what she was calling to tell me. I could hear the news in her voice. My best friend had passed away.

            Twenty-four years ago, I changed jobs in the middle of a school year. Elkin High School offered me an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. My first day felt very overwhelming. When lunch time rolled around, I saw Jay Collins in the hallway and asked where he ate lunch. He said he ate in his room, and I asked if I could join him. He invited me in. Thus began one of the best friendships in my lifetime.

            We ate lunch every day in his room. We talked about everything. There was no subject off limits. We talked about problems we were dealing with in every area of our lives. We talked about our backgrounds. We helped each other through some rough patches. We always laughed.

            If you saw the two of us walking down the hall together, you’d better look out: we were probably up to something. We kidnapped a colleague’s chair and left ransom notes. We turned another colleague’s desk 180 degrees and made sure everything was perfectly in place so the next day she wouldn’t notice and would bang her knees when she sat down. We didn’t do anything cruel, just fun stuff that kept everyone laughing.

            Jay and his wife live on a beautiful piece of land outside of Sparta. I don’t know of any place on earth where the peace of God is more tangible than sitting on their porch or walking along the stream that cuts through their property. A couple of years into our friendship he invited me up one summer day. You drive to the edge of nowhere, go another couple of miles and you are there. The trip up became an annual event that I looked forward to like Christmas day.

            My friendship with Jay grew to include his wife and their son. I ate many meals at their home filled with laughter. We also talked about deep personal issues and problems we faced. We shared the joys and sorrows of life. No topics seemed off limits. All topics were handled with love and concern for the best outcome for each other.

            One thing I will miss is the complete acceptance I felt. We never judged each other. We knew each other’s secrets and they were safe. We walked and talked with each other through difficult times, both past and present. We always listened to each other and offered love-filled advice. Our different political opinions never touched the friendship. We were always there for each other, no matter what the circumstance.

            When I sit and think about it, what I miss the most is just talking to my best friend. We got together when we could, but sometimes a year passed between visits. The conversation would pick right up as if we had eaten lunch together the day before. The conversation always flowed easily. It was filled with laughter. There was never a dull moment when we were together.

            After Jay retired, he took up woodturning and became quite good at it. I have a number of his pieces. The most special piece is the one he decided we would make together. He taught me some simple techniques and we worked on the piece until supper. A few days later it arrived in the mail, complete with our names and the date stamped into the bottom.

            It’s been a while since I last saw Jay. Parkinson’s stole him from us all too early in life. It is hard to find and make a good friend in life, but it is especially hard to give up your best friend. I can still hear his laugh. I can see the twinkle in his eye when we were up to something. I can feel the love that his family and I share. I remember his last words as I headed out the door to go home from Sparta, “Be careful going down the mountain. Be safe.”

            I want to encourage you to treasure your good friends. We are quickly approaching the holiday season. COVID has done so much to keep us apart; find a way to connect, not only with your family, but with your friends, too. Share a laugh, swap a few stories, and treasure each moment. Personally, I can’t wait to get to heaven and see Jay’s workshop, to hear him laugh, and to catch up on what’s been going on.

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

By Doug Creamer

Obedience

            My pastor was traveling last Sunday and asked me to fill in for him. Needless to say, I was excited to have the opportunity. I prayed about what to share. Naturally, I wanted to prepare so that I could do a good job.

            I felt led to talk about obedience through telling some stories. I looked at disobedience and the consequences compared to obedience and the blessing. The stories popped into mind one night while lying in bed. I need to learn to keep some paper and pens next to the bed. Ideas can seem so clear when lying in bed and they tend to need a lot of work when you begin formulating them into a lesson.

            The first story of disobedience was Jonah. Everyone who attended Sunday school has probably heard the story of Jonah and the big fish. Jonah was a prophet from long ago and God gave him an assignment to go and speak to the city of Nineveh. He was to tell them that God wasn’t very happy with their behavior and that He was about to destroy the city.

            Jonah didn’t like the people of Nineveh and he wanted them to be destroyed, so he went in the opposite direction and ran away from God’s assignment. We all know that he ended up in the belly of a big fish. It took him three days to repent and agree to go to Nineveh. He delivers God’s message, and then gets angry at God when the Lord decided to have mercy on the people because they repented and begged for mercy.

            The three lessons I learned were, first, God has a calling on each of our lives and He expects us to fulfill it. He needs us to do our part to get the gospel message out. Second, when we disobey God, if we repent, then God is merciful and forgiving. I am so thankful that I can run back and be secure in my Father’s love. Third, God loves all people and He wants them to repent and to have a relationship with Him. Our pastor constantly reminds us that mission is everywhere! People need the Lord. The door is open; let’s help them find it.

            Another story I told was about obedience. I believe that Jesus had to struggle to maintain His obedient life. I think that the most difficult struggle He faced was in the Garden of Gethsemane. They had just had the Lord’s Supper and it was right before Jesus was arrested. All the gospels tell of Jesus praying to His Father, asking Him, “Is there any other way?” Some people may think it is sin to ask a question of God. It is not a sin to ask a question, but it is sin to question God’s authority.

            Jesus’ mind and body were hoping for an alternate plan. “Father, everything is possible for you. Is there any other way? Nevertheless, not what I want but Your will be done.” Do you see Jesus’ heart there? He wants God’s will to be done even though His body doesn’t want to go through the agony of crucifixion.

            Jesus prayed in order to bring His mind and body into submission to God’s plan. It took Jesus three hours to work it out with God’s help. Jesus chose obedience.

            What did we get from Jesus’ choice? Jesus paid the price for our healing. His body was beaten so we could obtain healing from God. Jesus bought our forgiveness with God. Jesus paid the ultimate price so we could be forgiven, thereby opening the door so we can have a relationship with God. This free gift is available to all of mankind because God wants every human to come to heaven. That’s why it is important to grasp and become obedient to what my pastor has taught us since he arrived: mission is everywhere!

            I want to encourage you to open the door and build a relationship with God. It’s going to require you to become obedient. It’s going to cost you, but the benefit is an eternity with God in heaven. Don’t worry if you have been disobedient in the past, God is merciful if you are willing to admit you have failed Him. If you will confess your sins, He will forgive you. God wants to use you…yes, YOU! God knows that there are people in your life that need to hear about His great love for them. If you will listen for God’s voice and become obedient, you’ll discover that mission truly is everywhere.

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

By Doug Creamer

            Have you ever had one of those weeks when you had more to do than you thought you could accomplish? Yeah, I know we have all had those kinds of weeks. It makes you feel glad for a routine week. It makes the routine seem quiet. Like it or not, we all have those kinds of days and weeks when we chase ourselves.

            Then there are those weeks that are stressful. Maybe you are facing a deadline and you are pushing to get it all done. Maybe you are worried about a loved one. Maybe you are dealing with sickness, your own or a family member, and you are feeling overwhelmed.

            Maybe you are facing the loss of a loved one. Our world has come to a screeching halt in moments like this. I have been to a number of funerals for church members recently. I have family members who have recently lost members from their families. Daily routines must feel so unimportant in such times.

            We pray for each other. We are there for each other. We offer our hand of help and support. We listen and we try to lift the burdens from family and friends. We offer words that we hope will bring comfort.

            I thought retired life would always grant me plenty of time. Hustling would be something I would only see in my rearview mirror. For the most part, I was right, but there are times and days when things can still go crazy. It seems that it has been that way for the last couple of weeks. 

            Last week when I was reaching a peak of craziness I suddenly felt this blanket of peace surround me. I really can’t explain it. I should have been feeling the stress of all that was going on. I didn’t. The craziness settled, I took a few breaths, and wondered how I made it.

            I didn’t have time for the computer during the craziness, so I took a few quiet moments to catch up on email and social media. I saw an email from an old friend. I haven’t seen or talked with him in quite a while. I opened it and it simply read, “Been praying for you the last couple of days.” It took my breath away. I savored it. I read it a couple of times.

            This friend had no way of knowing what kind of craziness I was enduring. I wrote and thanked the friend. I shared a few of the crazy things that were going on. He simply said that I was on his mind during his quiet time. Obedience is so important. We don’t need to understand, just listen and obey that still, small voice.

            God can be quite sneaky at times. (No disrespect intended – actually love and appreciation.) He has ways of getting people praying because prayer changes things. God knows what we often fail to understand, that prayer is a powerful tool that moves heaven.

            There are six friends who receive prayer from me every day. Beyond them, there are varying amounts of prayers being offered for various people and situations. Yes, in case you don’t know, I do pray about the weather, too. Jesus calmed storms and He’s our example.

            Like my friend, I have been impressed to pray for people. When I feel the gentle call, I don’t ask questions, I just lift them up in prayer. Sometimes when the impression to pray is intense, I will follow up with the person and often hear some interesting stories. Morning, noon, or night, if the Spirit whispers, I try to listen and respond.

             I think many people do not realize the power they possess if they will simply bow their head in prayer. Peter was delivered from prison because a group was praying for him. I know people who have been healed and others who have been saved through the power of prayer. I believe circumstances change, the Lord’s favor can rest on us, and impossible situations can miraculously resolve themselves through prayer.

            I want to encourage you to listen for and obey that still, small voice. You never know how your prayers might impact situations. Your prayers might set in motion the help that is desperately needed. Your prayers can turn another person’s day completely around. Your prayers can dispatch angels. Your prayers can release peace, love, and the Spirit to do what only He can do. Next time you hear that still, small voice speaking to you, say a prayer.

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

By Doug Creamer

            The recent diagnosis of President Trump and his wife Melania with COVID-19 has highlighted several things for me. Whether you agree or disagree with his policies, whether you are a democrat or republican, whether you like his personality or dislike it…all those things really aren’t important, he is the President. The Bible tells us plainly to pray for our leaders.  

            President and Melania Trump need our prayers. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his wife Jill need our prayers. We should want all our government leaders and the candidates who are running for offices to be protected or healed from the COVID-19 virus and any other virus or flu. How you feel about a candidate should not affect your willingness to pray for their health and well-being.

            I know it is election season and we want our candidate to win. We look forward to celebrating on election night that our candidates have defeated their challenger and will lead us into a bright future. No matter how badly you want your candidates to win, you shouldn’t want your opponents to have potentially life-threatening illnesses.

            The Bible teaches us in many scriptures that we need to pray for our leaders. Look at Romans chapter 13 or I Timothy chapter 2, just to name a couple of passages. The Bible doesn’t say if you like your leader, pray for them. It just plainly says that we should pray for our leaders.

            It goes without saying that we should pray good things for our leaders. I want all government leaders in any office to succeed…so I can succeed. If they fail or are unsuccessful in their efforts to govern then that could have negative effects on my life.

            One thing we can pray is that God will give our governmental leaders godly advisors. We can pray that the leaders will listen to these godly men and women as they make decisions. I can see in scripture where godless or ungodly leaders acted favorably towards believers; that is a good thing we can all pray. We can also ask God to allow His favor to rest on the land they are governing. Having godly advisors close to our leaders can bring great blessing for everyone.

            Since we are in election season, I want to encourage you to pray and ask God to guide you in choosing the best candidates for the jobs. We want the best candidates from the president all the way down to the mayors. I believe God will guide us if we ask.

            I want to encourage you to go and vote. So many people don’t vote in elections. I read that if all the people who didn’t vote in the last presidential election voted for a third party candidate they would have won easily. Encourage your neighbors and co-workers to go out and vote. Voting, especially in local elections, is very important. A few votes can determine which local officials are elected.

            While we are talking about praying for our leaders, I would like to add another group of leaders to your prayer list. I want to encourage you to pray for your pastor. Pastors need our prayers. We want them to pray for us. I love it when my pastor prays for me. I imagine he likes when I pray for him, too. Pastors are on the front lines for our churches and they need our prayer support and encouragement.

            While we are praying for pastors, let’s pray for all our church leaders. Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, elders, deacons, choir directors, and missionaries all need our prayers. It is not easy to keep a church moving in the right direction and every prayer makes a difference. I believe it pleases God when we are interceding for all our church leaders.

            I want to encourage you to spend some time praying for all the different leaders in your life. In this election season, we need God’s wisdom to make good choices. In our churches, we need to pray for our pastors and all the leaders to guide us and make good decisions so we can make a difference in our communities for Christ. In our professional lives, we need godly men and women to make good decisions so our places of employment will grow and prosper and we can keep our jobs. When we pray we are having an impact and changing the world around us. So do your part and pray.

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

By Doug Creamer

One Step at a Time

            I was heading to bed last Sunday night and thought I would like a little ice cream before I turned in. The ice cream seemed especially soft. I figured the refrigerator was just going through the defrost cycle; I could hear the fan running.

            I tossed and turned, thinking about what a terrible time it would be for the refrigerator to go. My wife was up doing a few last minute things before bed. She came in as I was dozing off and told me that things were defrosting in the freezer. I got back up and checked on things. The fan in the refrigerator was running, but the compressor was not.

            It was too late to do anything about it at that point. I returned to bed and tossed and turned some more. What were we going to do? I was up early for my online classes. The great thaw was continuing. I texted the pastor and asked if I could move some freezer things up to the church, since we weren’t currently having any meals there. He said yes, and we went through our thawing freezer and got things that were still frozen moved up to church.

            The pastor told me there was a dorm-sized refrigerator up at church I could borrow for a few days until I could figure out the next steps. We were thankful. We threw out things that were beyond saving and then went through the refrigerator, too.

            We went to the store to pick out our new refrigerator and were met with a surprise. There is an appliance shortage going on across the country thanks to COVID. There were two models the retailer could deliver in about a week, neither of them were right for us.

            We decided to shop around. Retailer after retailer told us the same story. There were no refrigerators in stock and we could be looking at a two month wait for what we wanted. There were a few models available; some were just a step above the dorm refrigerator we were borrowing from church. 

            I went to Habitat for Humanity with no luck. I then found a 40-50 year old refrigerator that looked like it had been through the war. I took a chance and spent two days scrubbing and cleaning it to make it marginally presentable. It does run and we are hoping it will keep running until we can get one delivered.

            To say it has been a stressful week is an understatement. I have been thinking about my Boy Scout days and the motto to be prepared. I used to have an old refrigerator in the garage. It died over a year ago and I decided not to replace it. My plan was to get a new one for the house and put the one from the kitchen out in the garage.

            I have been trying to figure out what God wants me to learn through this situation. I think God wants me to learn that living by faith requires small steps. Sometimes those steps don’t look like a good way to go. I can’t see ahead. I have to learn to trust God, especially when I can’t see the next step.

            When things are going crazy and your stress level is up, that’s when it can be really hard to hear from God. There are so many thoughts running around in my head, it is hard to quiet myself long enough to hear from heaven. God’s ways and His plans are always the best. They may not seem to make sense in the moment, but that is where faith and trust come in.

            I am not saying that I have this down. I am still struggling to walk and live by faith. God has assured me that He is well aware of our situation. My job is to lean on Him. I have many years of experience walking with God through troubled waters. I have to remind myself that He saw me through all the other times; He will see me through again. His arm is not too short. If He can take care of over a million people in the desert for 40 years, He can see me through this situation as well. My God will never fail.

            I want to encourage you that if you feel like you are in a difficult place trying to find which way to go, trust God. He will guide you one step at a time. It may not make sense, that’s why it requires faith to trust Him. He will not leave you alone. He will come through for you. Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

It Wasn’t a Quiet Week

            A week ago on Sunday I was thinking I would have a quiet week. My brother had agreed to come down and help cut a few trees down and I was watching a tropical system that would bring rain at the end of the week. While quiet weeks are nice, I was considering what else I might like to get done.

            I went to a funeral last Monday, wrote my column, and did a little laundry. It was a nice and quiet day. As we were about to sit down for dinner, the phone rang. At first, I intended to allow the machine to pick up. Then for some reason, I walked over to hear which telemarketer was calling. Instead, it was my sister-in-law, and the news wasn’t good.

            My father-in-law had a medical emergency. The quiet week turned upside down. Phone calls and texts became our lifelines to information and updates. I placed my father-in-law on our church prayer chain. We had a long night of prayer and intercession.

            Word came in the morning that he would have surgery in the afternoon. More prayer and intercession. I received word from my congregation that they were praying with us. Late that evening we received word that he did wonderfully in surgery. He has some recovery to go through, but he is a fighter and we have hope. That’s the power of prayer.

            After two nights of scant sleep, my brother arrived to help cut some trees. I figured I could power through a few hours of work. It would feel good to do something physical. Seven hours after we began, my brother and I dragged in from cutting and cleaning up way more than I expected. I was so happy and pleased with the way things looked, even though my body was complaining.

            I was worried about my brother driving home after working so hard. I sat on my porch praying for him and resting. Praying… all of a sudden it hit me…I had prayer at church in a few minutes…and I was in charge. I moved…as fast as my body would allow me…and made it to prayer meeting. I got us started and then I went outside to pray. I tried to walk around the property, but my body refused, so I got out a chair and sat in the parking lot.

            At one point, I looked up at our steeple. Something caught my eye. There was a rainbow right over the church. It was faint, but there is was. Actually, it was a Sundog. It was beautiful. It made me think about God’s promise to Noah after the flood, and I turned to that scripture passage. God promises us that every time there is a rainbow in the sky that He sees it and remembers His promise to us. He will never destroy all life with a flood again.

            The rainbow is a sign of God’s promise, and He keeps ALL His promises. Do you know that the Bible is full of promises from God? I sat there and thought about so many promises that are in the Bible. God promises never to leave us or forsake us. God promises to hear our prayers. God promises to forgive us when we repent. God promises to heal a nation if the people repent before Him.

            Life is full of good and bad times. It’s in those dark and difficult times that we can forget that God loves us and that He is a promise-keeping God. I believe that many of you are holding on to promises that you have not seen fulfilled yet. Don’t give up! Hold on! God keeps ALL His promises. He will not fail you. He will come through for you.

            I was reading in II Peter today where it says a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. When you are waiting on God it feels like forever, but I have seen God move and watched all the pieces come together in one day. Sometimes God is working behind the scenes and we have to give Him time. Know this: He is always working on your behalf, for your best, and to fulfill the promises in your life.

            I want to encourage you to hold on to those precious promises from God. Never give up on Him, because He never gives up on you. He is there beside you, cheering you on. He is faithful, loving, and kind. Stir up your faith, turn your eyes on Him, and you will see those promises come true for you.

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