Is it Summer?

by   May 29, 2021 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            It has been a hot week. Does that mean summer has arrived? It is unusual to have such hot weather this early in the year. Hopefully, the rains that are coming will bring the temperatures back to late spring weather. Summer doesn’t officially arrive until late June.

            With all the hot, dry weather I have been out watering quite a bit lately. It’s early for things to look dry and wilted. We are working to keep things watered and the flowers and vegetables are looking good. I finally finished getting everything in the vegetable garden last weekend. Now I just have to keep the bunnies out and take care of the watering.

            We have been enjoying local strawberries for several weeks now. That season will soon be ending and it won’t be long before the blueberries and raspberries start coming in. We have our fingers crossed that we will get a good local peach crop this year. We enjoy eating all the fresh fruit and berries, especially over some pancakes.

            We’ve been firing up the grill some this spring. The grill needed some new parts. The grates were almost completely worn out. When I replaced them, I noticed that the burners were not functioning well, either. I got those parts installed, so now I am ready to go for the summer.

            I like being outside as much as possible. That’s why I am a big fan of the warm spring days and the cool fall days. I don’t care much for the humidity-filled, oppressive summer days, or the freezing winter days. I guess you could call me a weather moderate. I will confess that I am a fan of hurricanes and snowstorms, but I like all kinds of exciting weather.

            I like being outside on nice days. I like the peacefulness of sitting on the front porch whether I am thinking, praying, or reading. I like working in my garden, where I am alone with my thoughts. I like working with my wife on her flowers and tropical plants. It is so peaceful and we are both in our happy place. We both enjoy working on plants together.

            It’s in those quiet places that I can hear from heaven. I firmly believe that God wants to talk with us, but we have to give Him room and space to reach us. We also have to remove all the mental distractions and the worries of the day. When we can do that, we can hear Him.

            I have been reading in Romans recently. I have been going slow and am thinking of going even slower. There are so many good gems hidden in that book. Take, for example, the first couple of verses of chapter 5. When we ask Jesus into our lives to be our personal savior, God transfers His righteousness to us. He then declares that we are faultless. I don’t know about you, but I can assure you that I am not faultless. Regardless of that, God, the creator of the universe, declares me to be faultless because of what Jesus did for me.

            There is also the gift of peace. There is peace between God and me. Jesus’ blood covers all my sin, creating the open relationship with God. The peace God gives me guards my heart no matter what is going on in the world around me. The peace He offers can also invade my mind if I open the door.

            These verses also tell me that I have permanent access to the kindness of God. He is a good, good Father. As our good Heavenly Father He wants to pour His love in us. He will take very good care of us. He will meet our needs and bring healing to our broken lives.

            On top of all that, He wants to fill our hearts with His contagious joy. This joy will spring forth from us in spite of the circumstances around us. If we find ourselves in difficult places He promises to give us hope for a brighter tomorrow. The hope He gives will help us to hang on through the tough times until our help comes from heaven to rescue us.

            I want to encourage you to open your Bible and begin reading. God has hidden some wonderful promises and great stories to encourage our faith. Look what I found in two verses. Imagine what you might discover as you begin to read more of God’s love letter to you. God has a bright future planned for you. You can trust Him and depend on Him if you open your heart to Him.

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

What You Deserve Went Missing

by   May 28, 2021 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

An internet server in the Charlotte area airs a commercial touting the advantages it offers consumers. After the usual hype with an attractive person talking, the over voice says (to paraphrase), “It’s time to get what you deserve.” My hardback dictionary states that “deserve”  means “to be worth of” or “merit.” That first meaning has two connotations: to gain something positive, such as an award; or to receive a negative response to a particular action. Thus, a studious student may be awarded with academic accolades while a spiteful person may be ill-treated by another person. So in general, we use “deserve” to denote being awarded for hard work, courage, or other such positive acts.

Now, I know that language changes over the course of years because of our usage of it. In fact, several academics will argue that it must change in order for us to communicate effectively. Thus, the verb “quote” is now used to designate the noun “quotation”, and the longer form seems to have suffered a slow death. But my favorite new grammar usage, used by even the best of written sources, is “went missing.” A sentence such as, “The toddler went missing over the weekend” is as common as the sin of lying. I do not know why writers use two words when one, such as “disappeared”, would suffice, but “went missing” is here to stay. Furthermore, the verb “went” is a transitive which means that if it has a direct object, that object must be a noun or pronoun. However, that may be too complex, so let us just suggest we all use one simple word for the awkward phrase “went missing” because “missing” is not a place but a modifier.

It is no surprise that a television commercial maligns our language since its purpose is to communicate to the consumer. But I think we are headed down that “slippery slope” of misunderstanding each other if we continue on the path we are following. For example, I am old enough to remember the flap over a popular cigarette advertisement that stated, “… taste good like a cigarette should.” Our world has survived that confusion between like and as, but I  wonder at what price.

Not too many years ago, I was teaching 12th grade English in a school in Woodstock, VA. The position was provisional for that spring semester, but would become full time the following fall, so I applied for the full-time position. During the interview, the principal asked me why I was requiring my classes to read Macbeth in the original and not in a translation. Shocked by her ignorance, I answered that we read Shakespeare for many reasons, but especially for the language. More recently when I shared with a friend one more article by an English teacher arguing that there was no need to teach Shakespeare, he responded, “Soon Shakespeare may be offered as a way to satisfy a foreign language requirement.”

Language matters and if we shift too much in its use, we will create confusion instead of clarity. To defend incorrect usage by, “Well, you know what I meant,” is a lazy excuse. As a reader and/or listener, all I know is what I read and/or hear. Anything else is a guess and if you don’t want my attention to go missing, then be precise. We both deserve it.

Our God Given Authority

by   May 26, 2021 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

  • The devil has worked very hard to withhold understanding from us; that we have complete authority over him.
  • This authority is given purely by faith in Jesus and because He said so.
  • We can put into reality and action that the enemy can not harm us in any way.

Prayer:  Lord, I do confess and believe these words that I have authority over the enemy and all the attacks of the enemy and that by Your command he has to obey and submit and be yielded to the authority that You have given me.  Help me Lord to exercise it.  Holy Spirit direct me I pray in Jesus name.  Amen.


Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Listen to Your Heart

by   May 25, 2021 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Having a few poor runs is just part of being an everyday runner. Sometimes things just don’t click and some or all of the outing is a struggle. Such was my dilemma in early January. A couple days of just being out of sync got worse and I was pretty sure that something was up when my breathing became a struggle for most of a week. The defining factor was the inability to keep running for any reasonable distance past a quarter or half mile.

I went to a blood drive and the tech told me that my heart rate was irregular and wondered if I had heard that before. I had not, so she suggested I get it checked out. A call to my regular doctor resulted in several office tests and they found nothing. But I knew by then that my heart rate continued to be erratic with significant spells of what felt like missed beats, sometimes two of ten. I could feel the unusual beats in my chest.

Referred to a local cardiologist, the first step was to wear a 24-hour heart monitor. Quick results found that at least 5% of my heartbeats were classified as PVCs, or premature ventricular contractions. PVCs are quick beats that then leave a pause until the next regular beat. I was having them most mornings upon rising but occasionally any time during the day. The PVCs leave some of the blood and its oxygen behind, which in my case seems to be the source of shortness of breath.

Next came an overnight oxygen test which I passed wonderfully, meaning that sleep apnea was not a possible cause. A stress test, electrocardiogram and sonagram were all non-conclusive. I did OK on the stress test, but I didn’t feel strong and struggled with the quicker uphill running, which in normal times is one of my strengths.

Just last week, I had a CT angiogram, testing for blockages and any irregularities. All good on that one too. A common theme voiced by many of the medical professionals is that the PVCs or heart irregularities could have been cause by COVID-19, yet I don’t have the antibodies and have not experienced any of the standard symptoms.

The good thing is that over the last 10 days, my morning runs have been a little more energetic. Leg speed is a little better and breathing is too. Almost five months into this, I have been getting great help as we work toward a solution. Next up is a consultation on whether to use electrical stimulation to shock the heart back into normal rhythm, but that won’t come for more than a month. For the time being, I will just keep running while hoping and praying for continued improvement.

My son-in-law, Dale Baker, just spent nine days at Northeast on the heart ward and has now returned home. Lots of fluid around the heart was an issue and Dale and my daughter Ashley are making big lifestyle changes including diet and exercise. In Dale’s case, he almost waited too long to get help, but he is doing much better now.

One of our best 60-plus local runners is also having recurring heart issues. His heart rate takes spells of being too slow and during those times, his runs are a struggle. Discussion of a possible pacemaker have begun.

Another good friend, just in the last two weeks, was found to have a blockage and has been prescribed medicine as a first step to break it up.

At least in my circles, folks are talking about heart issues more than normal. My point with all of these examples is that we need to be aware of normal resting heart rate, any unusual shortness of breath, and just irregularities in general. If something seems off, get it checked out.

The Special Olympics Torch Run is Tuesday, May 18, at about 10 a.m. and is open to anyone. Contact Lt. Patrick Smith of the Salisbury PD if interested at psmit@salisburync.gov .

The next race ahead is the Main Street Challenge 5K on Friday evening, June 4. This is usually the biggest Rowan County 5K and caters to all levels of runners and walkers.

Look for more information on these and other upcoming events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org .

Be Astounded

by   May 24, 2021 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

I understand, Habakkuk.

I really do.

Life sure can be a mystery.

Sometimes, there are things we need to know.

Sometimes, there are questions we need to ask.

Knowing that you — a minor prophet — took your questions to God, helps me know that God will answer my questions, too.

When reading your questions from Habakkuk 1:2, I felt your pain. I felt you crying out.

I sure have been there.

You asked, “Oh Lord, how long must I cry out and You will not hear me? How long must I cry out and You will not save me?”

I sure am glad you asked God those questions, because I really wanted to know the answer, as well. We may not often admit it, but sometimes it seems as if it is taking forever for the answer to come.

Yes, Habakkuk. God answered you.

God who created the world — and created us — is willing to answer our questions.

That knowledge takes my breath away.

As does the response Habakkuk received.

God’s response? In Habakkuk 1:5, God said, “Be utterly astounded! I will work a work in your days, that you would not believe, even if I told you.”

God was going to do an unbelievable work in Habakkuk’s days. “Will work a work”’ meant that he would begin, continue and finish. “In your days” meant it will not be deferred, put off or postponed. The unbelievable would happen in his lifetime.

We need to believe God will do the unbelievable. Really believe — not just for the past or for the future, but for the here and now. God is here. His presence is real. He will work a work in our days.

Mark 11:24 tells us that whatever we ask in prayer, believe that we have received it, and it will be ours.

Jeremiah 33:3 says that we are to call on him and he will answer us, and show us great and mighty things, that we did not know.

• Lord — your plans are bigger than we could ever imagine.

Help us to imagine the unimaginable.

• Lord — you still do the unbelievable.

Help us to believe the unbelievable.

• Lord — you still can — and you still will — astound us.

Help us to be utterly astounded.

Lord, may we expect to be astounded by the unimaginable and the unbelievable. Amen.

Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker. Contact her at  annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

Garden Pests

by   May 22, 2021 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I looked out the window at my vegetable garden the other morning, enjoying all the seedlings that were growing and producing their first leaves. Joy flooded my soul. I breathed in peace. But that peace suddenly evaporated at the sight of a rabbit in my garden. He was eating my precious vegetables.

            I ran outside and TRIED to scare him. He froze. I was close enough to pet him before he moved; he didn’t want to leave the breakfast table. I chased him back into the woods. There was a little damage, but I thought we would be alright.

            One evening my wife looked out the window and saw THREE small bunnies jumping and playing in my garden. Off I ran to chase them away. One other evening I saw the cutest little baby bunny in the yard eating clover. I walked over and explained to the bunny he was allowed to eat all the clover he wanted, but he better stay out of the garden. He was a good bunny.

            I put some fences up around my vegetable gardens last year, which helped keep the deer out of the garden. I know they visit the yard, as they nibble other things and leave some little presents in the grass for me. The squirrels aren’t deterred by the fences. They can crawl over or under them.

            While there are some pests in the garden, there are also some good bugs and critters in the garden. I never chase a ladybug away because they eat bad insects. We are all dependent on bees or we wouldn’t get any fruits or vegetables. Butterflies, besides being beautiful, also help to pollenate plants. Even the neighborhood bat helps to keep the mosquito population down.

            I have been teaching my Chinese students about the benefit of worms. They do a lot of work in the garden to help loosen the soil, and create great fertilizer. I once had a friend tell me I was like a worm in his life. I was quite offended by his comment, but he said that he meant it as a compliment. He said that I helped him go through the tough places in his life and I helped to break up the fallow ground. I jokingly told him that I would prefer to be called a roto-tiller, it sounded better and stronger.

            If we think of our lives like vegetable gardens it might help us understand the dynamics of our spiritual walks. Being in fellowship with our brothers and sisters is like having the good bugs in the garden. They will help us break up fallow ground. They won’t let us be lazy. They will encourage us to be fruitful and productive in our lives. Probably most importantly, they can help us get plugged in to where we can serve in the kingdom.

            There are many bugs and pests that can keep us from being productive in our Christian walk. We all know that sin keeps us out of God’s presence and makes us unproductive. We all also know the solution. We have to confess our sins and turn away…repent. I believe that sin is not the major thing that keeps us unproductive.

            It’s all the things that distract us and keep us from being about the kingdom business. Many of the things are not bad or sinful things. Watching TV is great and relaxing, but sometimes we keep watching instead of doing kingdom business. Social media is fun and helps us keep up with family and friends, but it can also be a huge time waster. Exercising is very important for the physical body, but some people will spend hours on workouts and never lift the cover of their Bibles.

            There is always yardwork and housework that needs to be done. We will never be done with either one. They have to get done, but we can use them as an excuse to keep us from doing kingdom business. It’s important to do good deeds and help others, but we need to ask God what He wants us to do for others.

            I want to encourage you to honestly evaluate how you are spending your time. It’s not a guilt trip. There are so many pests that can pull you away from the purposes and plans of God. Ask God what’s on His priority list for you today. Do that first and you will have a more fulfilling day. God wants you strong, fruitful, and productive in all areas of your life. Make choices to spend time with Him and to serve Him, then you will produce a harvest for Him.

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

Key to Stumble Free Life

by   May 19, 2021 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

1 John 2:10 Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.

  • Undoubtedly, God is love and that is the greatest force on earth.
  • If we walk in love, we can do no evil and certainly it is the evidence of God in us.
  • We will not stumble spiritually if we live this life of continually loving others, even if they are undeserving or do things wrong to us.

Prayer:  My Lord, I pray that You fill my heart with Your love continually.  I yield to You and do not justify any wrong thinking in my heart, but honestly want to be filled with Your love to love everyone with Your love, because there is no other way.  I feel blessed to be an instrument of Your love in Jesus name.  Amen.
 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

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