Sometimes a stranger—not a friend or a loved one—can significantly improve our day, providing comfort or helping to broaden our perspective… From the Wall Street Journal
By Doug Creamer
On the day I returned from vacation, I went to get the mail. There were several letters, so I glanced through them as I walked up the driveway. Bill, bill, a piece of junk, and… a summons to jury duty! Are you kidding me? This was my third time to be called. I was NOT excited.
I looked to see when I was to report, and ironically, it was to be the same time I would have reported back to school. I wondered if God was punishing me for retiring. I have to admit, I was pretty grumpy for a few days.
The letter stated that I was to call the night before to see if I had to show up. I called, and of course, I did. I had a sinking feeling that not only would I have to show up, but that I would be one of the people selected to be on the jury. I just hoped it wouldn’t be a huge trial.
I arrived and checked myself in. As I sat down and looked around the room I sensed that none of us were very excited about being there. I decided right then that I needed to change my attitude. I am a citizen of this community, and in order for justice to exist in a fair and reasonable way I needed to do my duty with a positive attitude.
I prayed and asked God to forgive me for my negative attitude. There was a person on the other side of that courtroom door that needed someone who would listen with an open mind to all the evidence presented, and make a fair and impartial decision. God touched me and my mind, heart, and attitude were instantly corrected.
The clerk of court showed us a video about what an honor it was for us to serve and what our role would be in the process. A few minutes later, we were called into the courtroom and the jury selection process began. They called twelve people to come and sit in the jury box, and I was selected.
The assistant D.A. and the attorney both gave us some general questions and then talked with each one of us. It was a very interesting process trying to determine who would stay and who would be dismissed as jury members. I was very interested in the compassion that was shown to people who were caregivers or to those with health concerns.
The crime was a felony, but in the grand scheme of things, it was a minor crime. What impressed me the most was how professional everyone acted and how the individual was treated with dignity in spite of the charge. The details of the case and the outcome are immaterial, what matters the most is that the judge and jury gave both parties a fair chance at justice in this specific case.
I walked away with a renewed appreciation for our judicial system. If the same care is put into major cases as was in this case, then maybe we can hope that our system works. I am sure that mistakes are made because we live in a fallen world. There are certainly some people in every profession that do not always give their best, and we know that sometimes people don’t always tell the whole truth. But I still contend that my faith in our system was renewed by this process, and I am glad that I had this opportunity.
I am also glad that God’s system of justice is different in two key ways. First, all of us deserve to be sentenced to a life separated from the love of God. But if we are willing to repent, God, who is the fairest and best judge, will forgive us for all of our sins and failures. The gift of eternity with God is free for all who would receive Jesus as their savior. Second, if we have been wronged in life and we can find the strength to turn to God and give Him our case, He will take care of the situation and deal with those who wronged us. God’s justice far outweighs anything we could ever do.
I want to encourage you to open your hearts to God’s love. You may have committed unspeakable crimes, or you might think that you are a good person, but all of us are in need of God’s forgiveness. The only way to find God’s love and forgiveness is through repentance. God stands ready, arms wide open to you…run to Him while there is still time. Today is the perfect opportunity for you.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
At first, I thought it was an aberration, just a good friend trying to make life easier for me after a festive birthday dinner. Her tone was firm, leaving no room for even a mouse-squeak of a protest.
“Don’t write me a thank you note; it’s not necessary.”
Do what? (This is a column by Celia Rivenbark from her website)
A bipartisan group in Raleigh has created North Carolina’s largest supper table to help communities hard-hit by disaster, like Hurricane Florence. From Our State Magazine
By Lynna Clark
This is my gardening bench, patiently waiting for Spring. Pots are ready. Dirt is on standby. Spades long to be picked up and used for good. Nearby chairs rock slightly with the winter wind. Even though the sun is shining, the calendar reports that it’s only February. Wait we must.
I could force the issue. My indoor starter plants beg to keep my potting table company. Roots of sweet potato vines and Wandering Jew would feel much more at home in dirt than in the bottles of water on my windowsill. Sunshine can be a deceptive friend. She calls out, “Come! Why wait? Let’s take charge of this day!”
Experience warns that sooner is not always better.
So we wait.
And pray.
Lord, please fill these hands… these pews… these hearts… this table… my empty bed… my life… this crib.
The hope we once had disappears behind the dark cloud of disappointment. And we continue to wait. And pray.
“I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”*
Then one day, winter becomes a distant memory.
“I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends. His mercies never cease.” **
Dear sweet Lord of heaven and earth, please strengthen us in the waiting. Help us give You glory, knowing You love us and care about our lives. You have given us the desires that wait in our hearts. You’ve told us to ask and never give up.*** Thy will be done. We love and trust You ever more.
*Mark9:24
**Lamentations3:20-22
***Luke18:1
I can’t believe that it is time to look ahead to what may come our way this winter. The Farmer’s Almanac has put out their predictions. Here is what they have to say… Are you ready for another winter ride, full of chills and thrills?! According to the 2020 Farmers’ Almanac, this winter will be filled with so many ups and downs on the thermometer, it may remind you of a “Polar Coaster.”
By David Freeze
Only on a rare occasion will I do a movie review, mostly because I don’t see as many as I used to. Plus, I am probably a harsher critic than most. Books often move me more than a movie because I have found out much more about the characters by the time the story concludes. Rarely now do I feel an intense connection to a movie plot. Today, I was totally immersed in a movie that looked especially interesting as soon as I saw the trailer.
During my own extensive travels, I find the hype of places and things often disappoints once seen in person. This movie was my Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls, the rare sightings that are even greater than expected.
“Overcomer” came out today (Friday, August 23rd) and I saw it during the first showing at Tinseltown in Salisbury. Two screens were showing the movie and regular TV commercials had promoted it. Nothing about those two statements would make me go see a movie otherwise, as I’ve found the better ones often don’t get such attention. In this case, I just couldn’t wait to see the movie.
What grabbed me was the story although I won’t begin to give away the plot. I’ve been known to nod off in a theatre and miss a third of the early action or lack of it. Overcomer didn’t lose me at all and will be hard to ever forget. Reflecting on the plot, every main character had something to overcome, just as most of us do. Within the plot of the movie, all of them succeeded in some measure. Some greater than others, but still they all moved forward.
The movie trailer tipped me off to some of the action, just as it should. The successful basketball coach and history teacher, his wife, their two sons, the cross-country runner and her family and the school principal, all important throughout.
Yes, cross country and running in general are a huge part of the story and the first things that drew me in. I love running, have been at it many years, and everything related to the training and races was especially well done.
One question asked several times in the movie was, “How do you define yourself?” And at what point does Christian make that list? We can relate, at least I know I can. What do the first two chapters of Ephesians tell us about how God sees us and why He sent His son to die for our sins? What does His love guarantee us once we place our faith in Him?
For the rest of the day, my thoughts haven’t left the movie for long. I’ve told many others to make sure they see it. A sure sign of a great movie—when it ends, nobody moves. And while the long lists of credits play, much about things and people we don’t know or fully understand, people still linger and take time gathering themselves.
Go see this movie! You’ll laugh, cry (a lot), be motivated and desirous of hammering out your own identity in Christ. Take everyone you know. And be ready for deep reaching discussions afterwards.
As a person who has sought adamantly His help in difficult situations, often with humor and hope, my own hope is that this movie draws you in and intersects with your own story, just as it did mine.
By Ann Farabee
I got my permit! Those four words may very well be the most exciting words a 15 year old will ever say to their friends.
A permit is defined as the official documentation or authorization to do something.
But… the emotion that goes along with that permit, may pale in comparison to how the parent feels about relinquishing the driving of their 3000 pound vehicle to them while they practice.
And it does not get any easier when they are allowed to practice at night.
However, even though my preferred bedtime is 9:30, I willingly got in the car and traveled on the passenger side to purchase a much-needed milkshake at 10:00, because my 15 year old wanted to practice driving in the dark.
I reported to my passenger seat duty – ready to alert him to any – and all – pending obstacles.
The first comment he made after driving a few minutes was, “Look how the light lets you only see what is right in front of you. We are completely surrounded by darkness everywhere else.”
I felt a ‘God moment’ may have come, so I dared to shift my line of vision from the road in front of us and took a look around me.
He was right. We were enveloped by darkness – except for the light shining out from our vehicle.
I think I actually felt the darkness. To the right. To the left. Above. Behind. It was everywhere. Except in that one place – the direction we were heading – where it gave us all the light we needed to see the way.
Then, a few seconds later, a car was coming from the opposite direction without their lights on, and it honestly seemed a little scary for us both. That was when my 15 year old asked this wise question, “Why would they do that?”
I responded, “They failed to turn their lights on, and they probably do not even realize they don’t have light. They will figure it out before it’s too late, I hope.”
As I said those words, I instantly became a distracted supervising driver, because that was when I remembered a Bible verse I had read that morning: Isaiah 45:7 – I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create evil. I, the LORD, do all these things.
That Bible verse that had seemed unusual that morning sure was making sense on the dark road that night. It enveloped me – hovered sweetly in my mind – letting me know that my God created the darkness, but He also formed the light – and He watches over us in both darkness and light.
We may prefer to drive through life in the times of light, but we experience both light and darkness, don’t we?
And…both can help us to learn to be the person who God intends for us to be – and to serve the purpose that God intends for us to serve.
*And we do not have to be afraid of the dark because even when it seems to surround us, the light still shows us the way.
*So, I guess we all have our permit – if we know God – because He is the only documentation and authorization we will ever need. He is in control of it all!
Ann is a speaker and teacher. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com
By Doug Creamer
This is a very strange week for me. All of my former colleagues are heading back to school and I am not. Why is there such a big smile on my face as I type that? The truth is, I am going to really miss being with my former colleagues and friends. You get close to the teachers you work with on a daily basis. I will miss catching up with them and hearing about their daily lives.
The first week back for teachers is one that is filled with meetings. There is very little time to actually be in your classroom preparing for the students. There is so much that needs to get done that most teachers stay way past quitting-time. There is the cleaning, decorating, getting handouts ready, and finding some time to actually start planning your lessons.
The students in Stanly & Davidson counties arrive next week. Here in Rowan County, the students are already back. I always loved starting in early August because we got out in May. It is so hot in August, you might as well be in school. Late May and early June are so much nicer to be out of school. It is also nice to get first semester exams out of the way before Christmas. I have lots of opinions about education, like the importance of work-based learning. I also believe in starting school later in the morning versus earlier. All these opinions are no longer important. The political powers will make decisions and schools will go on without me.
I want to be very clear here. I believe in our public schools. They are great places for our kids. There are some awesome teachers out there who make a huge difference in the lives of their students. I never once felt unsafe at school, thanks to the SROs. I know so many teachers who give their hearts and souls to their students.
I gave 34 years of my life to the public school system and do not regret one moment of it. I tried to always give my best to the students. I tried to reach the students using a variety of instructional methods. I know I wasn’t perfect and there is always room for improvement, but I worked hard and I loved my job.
Are the public schools perfect? No. There are people in every organization and business who do not bring their A game to their jobs. That doesn’t mean that all schools are bad. It just means that schools are just like every other organization. For the most part, schools are filled with people who love and care about the students that they serve.
To the parents of students, allow me to share a few thoughts. First, I know this is tough, but your little angel is not always so angelic. Children make bad decisions no matter how good of a parent you are. It’s OK. It’s better that they make the mistakes now where there is a good safety net. Support the teachers and schools because we all want the same thing…to see your child grow up to become a responsible adult in our community.
To the parents, grandparents, and community members I have one request. Please pray for the students, teachers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, staff, and administrators of your local schools. We need God in our schools. He will protect us. He will guide us. He will inspire and encourage us. He will give us wisdom as we face the many problems that are in our society. He will love and support us when times are tough. I will say it again: We need God with us every day in our schools if we hope to raise up the next generation.
I believe in the power of prayer to change situations and circumstances. I promise you I prayed before I went to school. I also knew how important your prayers were to my success as a teacher. No one can do it alone. Schools and school systems need our prayers.
So let’s join our spiritual hands and lift up our local schools, asking the loving and gracious God of heaven to bless the 2019-2020 school year. I encourage you to support the schools in your community, especially if you have children or grandchildren going to school. Your prayers, cards, and encouraging emails are truly blessings to the teachers who are working on the front lines. May God bless you and our schools as they look forward to a great school year.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
“A Chef’s Life” star shares what she has learned after juggling projects and finding ritual in the chaos
Vivian Howard was honest with the packed Ballast Hotel ballroom Wednesday when she was asked to share how to balance her many life roles — she doesn’t. From Star News Online