From Hoopalah to Hootenanny

by   February 28, 2022 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

I mentioned in an earlier story that we had a refrigerator hoopalah. So here’s what happened. Our old house is a wonder; as-in I wonder how we should fix that? I wonder what’s under that carpet? I wonder how much it would cost to change that out? The faux slate tile linoleum in the kitchen had long outgrown its loveliness. In fact, while we were having our den floors refinished, we accidently tore it when we had to move the sofa into the kitchen. Good times. BUT it gave us a peek underneath. Ooooh. More pretty linoleum. I had been shopping for retro flooring in keeping with the style of the house. So we decided to pull up the top layer since it didn’t seem to be glued down. It came up rather easily. I can say that because David was the one on his knees ripping it out. When he got to the cubby that used to be a closet but now holds the refrigerator, we couldn’t get the rest of the lovely fake stone out. Both of us worked way beyond our vast wisdom and strength. But the stupid stuff wouldn’t budge. Plus even though he used an appliance dolly, the refrigerator would not co-operate. David is a strong man so basically he manhandled the fridge out of the little hole and we eventually got enough of the old flooring out so that it wouldn’t be too obvious when we resituated things. Then we worked together to get the crazy thing leveled in our very UN-level kitchen. Since there were no leveling feet or wheels this brought the tension up to ‘lose your mind’ level, which was not the level we were striving for. Then! And this is where the hoopalah comes in, during the night, our refrigerator died.

Yes it was plugged in.

We’re not sure what happened. But apparently during all the wrestling of said appliance the poor thing gave up the ghost. It made both of us so sad because our Life Group Bible study friends had purchased that refrigerator for us when David had been out of work for a while. Now once again there was nothing to do but buy a new one. Poor David was so discouraged. Though we’d saved a couple thousand dollars by finding and uncovering the old linoleum, now we had to buy something we didn’t really want to spend house money on. He sat at the kitchen table staring at the dead elephant in the room while I browsed online for a refrigerator that would fit in that hole. Though I found one just like the dead one, I pondered the wisdom of buying the same brand hoping for a different result. The thing was not that old. To the side of the screen an ad popped up. Apparently Amazon keeps track of our dreams. At some point I had drooled over retro appliances in bright colors, only to determine we could never afford them. But I clicked on it anyway. And guess what. They were having a very short sale, 35% off.
For less than what I was about to spend on an appliance I did not love, I could get the RED one of my dreams! AND it would fit perfectly in the hole. PLUS it came the next morning! Oh my stars! It is just so pretty!
Every once in a while, things fall into place. Well… I’ve heard that about other people but I never assumed it could be true for us. So mark it down my friends. Our hoopalah was turned into a hootenanny. Only the Lord of all creation would care about my crazy love for Fiesta Ware and all things bright and colorful. Thanks to Him my new/old kitchen is a party waiting to happen. I just love it!

uncovered retro

PS- I ordered a rug from Home Depot. It covers enough of the old linoleum that I am completely in love with my brand new old kitchen. Oh happy day!

Receive it

by   February 28, 2022 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

     The beautiful ten year old girl with long blonde hair, dressed in a magnificent pink and white outfit, picked up the next birthday gift to open. Ripping the ribbon and the paper away so she could get to it quickly happened in a split second, as those at her party watched.

     When she finally got into the box, she began to cry. She threw it onto the floor, with the gift still inside, while screaming, “I don’t want it!”

     I am certain that her mother was quite embarrassed as party-goers were standing by to see her open the gifts they had brought. For the party not only included other 12 year olds, but also their parents. The reason I am so certain the mother was embarrassed is because I was the mother!

     To say I still remember that moment from over 25 years ago would be an understatement.

All the parents in attendance had politely laughed it off, but I was not laughing. Mortified would be a better descriptive word.

     Not only had she rejected the gift, but she did not even care enough to take it out of the box to look at it.

     What on Earth was she thinking?

     That beautiful gift remained in the box on her closet floor for way too long. Then, one day, she opened it, put the outfit on, and proudly pranced around to show it to us. I could not help myself – I had to remind her that she had said she didn’t want it. Her response, “I didn’t know how beautiful it was! I do want it!”

     It became her favorite. It became the outfit she would not – and could not – live without.

Had she never opened it up and received the gift, she would have missed out on the greatest outfit ever!

     Thankfully, we are not like that! No, we would never respond that way. Only a child would not accept a gift that had been so freely given, right?

       * Ephesians 2:8 tells us that by grace are we saved through faith – and not of ourselves.

It is the gift of God.

It’s a gift. Don’t reject it! Receive it!

      *Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death – but the gift of God is eternal life.

It’s a gift. Don’t reject it! Receive it!

     *Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 tells us that the ability to rejoice and enjoy life is a gift from God.

It’s a gift. Don’t reject it! Receive it!

      *James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the the Father of lights.

Look toward the sky and envision our heavenly Father – who is the Father of lights – showering down every good and perfect gift from above directly onto us.

It is the gift of God.

Receive it!

Yes, the ten year old rejected her gift. She thought she did not want it – but time proved her wrong! She did want it!

We can be the same way – by not receiving the gift of God.

What on Earth are we thinking?

I mean – what in Heaven’s name are we thinking?

I am not sure what we may all be thinking in heaven – but we will always have the gift of the power to praise our Savior. Bowing around the throne to worship, we may say something like this, “Alleluia, Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power unto You, the Lord our God. Thank You, Lord! We praise You!”

There are – and will always be – gifts of God.

They are available for us on Earth and in Heaven.

We just need to reach out to receive them.

Ukraine Thoughts

by   February 28, 2022 with No Comments

Pastor Greg Laurie offers some positive thoughts about what is going on with world events including Ukraine. He encourages all of us to pray for the people of Ukraine, so do I. It is a short video, but it offers some Biblical perspective on events happening around us…. Listen….

The Little Visitor

by   February 26, 2022 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            The Easter bunny came for a little visit last Sunday. I’m getting ahead of myself here; let me start at the beginning. I was walking around the side of the house after church last Sunday when I saw a neighbor out in her yard, so I waved. She called out, “Do you own a rabbit?” I responded, “No, why?”

            There was a beautiful white rabbit hopping around my backyard. We watched it for a little while and were both concerned for its wellbeing. We’ve seen hawks and owls in our neighborhood. It was friendly and we both petted the little bunny. It was obvious to both of us that this rabbit was someone’s pet.

            I decided to catch the rabbit. I got out our cat carrier and some gloves to be careful, and scooped the little rabbit up. He was just about in the cage when the rabbit began to kick me with his strong back legs. With his head inside the carrier, I thought I had won. When I released my grip he twirled around and hopped away.

            He didn’t run very far. He was playing a little game with me. I swooped around and captured him again. This time I put a hand around those strong back legs. He slid right in the carrier this time and I got the door closed. Mission accomplished, but now what?

            My neighbor and I looked at the beautiful rabbit and then we got a carrot for him. While he munched on it, we talked about options, including keeping the little guy. We each encouraged the other to keep it. I don’t think either of us was ready to adopt a new pet.

            We called another neighbor and asked if she would post about the lost rabbit on our community Facebook page. We took some cute pictures and she posted about it. Wow, did that create a stir. There were tons of comments on the little rabbit. No one said it was their rabbit, but there were several who were willing to adopt it.

            The last I checked on it, the bunny has a new home. I have heard through the grapevine that the family is very happy with their new rabbit. That little rabbit may not know it, but it brought a much-needed ray of sunshine to our little community. I admit it; the little white rabbit brought sunshine to my soul, too.

            I like a happy ending, when the lost become found. This little rabbit who lost his way has found a new home where he will be loved and cared for by a warm, loving family. Does that story remind you of any other story? Yes, me too.

            All of us know people who are like that little rabbit. They seem content, hopping around in their daily lives, but their souls are lost and unprotected. Their souls don’t have a place to call home. They are in need of someone to come along and rescue them.

            Some people don’t even realize that their soul is in danger. They don’t know the perfect peace that God gives His children. They have never met Jesus and discovered His love. They don’t realize that Jesus has paid for all their sins and made a way for them to come home. They don’t have a safe place from the storms of life because they don’t know their Creator.

            Sadly, these souls don’t realize that there is a family just waiting for them. The family of God has opened the doors and their hearts to receive them. I know the family of God is not perfect, nor is any family on earth. My family isn’t perfect, but I love everyone in my family and pray for them often. The same holds true for my church family. We aren’t perfect, but we are a wonderful family who love each other deeply. We laugh hard and hold each other close when the road gets rocky. I wouldn’t exchange my church family for anything.

            I want to encourage you to get connected with a church family. I know you haven’t figured everything out yet, but that’s okay, we haven’t either. I know your life is a mess, that’s okay, because none of us has a perfect life either. I know you may be afraid and you want God to answer some questions, that’s okay, too. None of us knows all the answers, either…that’s what faith is all about…trusting God with what you don’t understand. Come home before it is too late. Come home where it is safe. Come home where you can find love and acceptance. Come home to the family of God. Come home!

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

Garden Enigma

by   February 25, 2022 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

Garden Enigma

Early evening and suddenly every bird at or near one of the three bird feeders in our back garden disappears. No bird song. Only the silent flutter of wings as the quiet before the storm passes, and the storm settles on a limb of a dogwood tree.

The resident Cooper’s Hawk perches, facing the house. Its roan-tinted chest plumage reflects late sunlight as the eyes study every piece of the small garden. Its flat crown reminds me, in a silly way, of the flat-top hair style some boys paraded during my youth. But this flat top half crowns two dark, piercing eyes that  search for a meal in our garden, the one where we feed its potential prey for our pleasure, not for its food.

The head moves from side to side and soon the body of death turns and faces the wider, back expanse of garden, perhaps hoping to find food in the larger area. But, when none presents itself, the grey-shoulder hungry one drops to the ground and peers into the thick, green foliage of the gardenia. One hop of grey death flushes a male cardinal that flies low to the ground before escaping to the safety of the rhododendron.

Unruffled, the Cooper’s Hawk takes dominion over our side garden and Doug’s large front yard by perching on the white fence dividing our properties. Unruffled, but obviously hungry, it sits there for some moments before gliding away to expand its search. Within moments of its departure, a fat squirrel appears on the ground below one of the dogwood trees, and birds return to the feeders.

The small, back garden returns to another cycle, one that is an enigma of sorts since we humans attract the birds and squirrels for our pleasure by feeding them, not to provide for the fearsome but beautiful Cooper’s Hawk.

Masterpiece

by   February 22, 2022 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

Our daughter Hannah gave her two nine year olds an art lesson using the example of Grandma Moses. Then they tried to draw some of the lady’s work. Marie copied each detail while Jesse made it his own. He added a mailbox and other touches just because it made sense to him. Both pictures turned out great, but very different.


I wish I could draw. I admit to having a bit of creativity, as-in currently our den is tangerine orange and our dining room walls are turquoise. You probably have a word besides creative to describe that. Feel free to leave that special word in the comments. But I kinda love it. For me, it’s important to not do the same thing everyone else is doing. I think different is good.


The Lord is the most creative of all. Just look at His world. Who but Him would come up with a zebra? Or a giraffe? Or a weiner dog? A bullfrog or me? How funny! What’s amazing is that He considers me a work of art.


Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”


Sounds like He made a plan, then put us together in such a way that we could accomplish His purpose. A companion verse might be Philippians 1:6. “And I am certain that God who began the good work within you will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”


Let’s think on that the next time we feel “less than.” We are who we are for a reason. God will work through us to complete His great plan. In fact, when He looks at us, He already sees a masterpiece.

1 2 3 4