It’s Okay to Rest

by   July 9, 2022 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

It’s OK to Rest

            On the morning of the 4th of July, I opened Facebook to see the many patriotic pictures that my friends had posted. Most of my friends were posting pictures of family, friends, and pets all decked out in red, white, and blue. Some people posted videos of fireworks, which were fun to watch.

            I was looking forward to my family gathering. Many years ago, my wife and I hosted the family gathering, which included some fun times over at the Faith festival and an afternoon water fight. The water fights always started with squirt guns but ended up with the water hoses. We would all get soaked, but we created memories that will last for a lifetime.

            My brother and I are teaching our grand-nephews about water fights. We started this year with squirt guns because the boys are little. The family gathering was great this year, and included delicious food, plenty of laughter, and a fireworks display. It is nice to spend some time with family and relax.

            It is also nice that for one day we as a country can forget our political differences and celebrate that we are Americans. We are blessed to live in the best country in the world. We are thankful for all the men and women who have served and are serving in our military. We are also thankful for all the police, firefighters, and EMS workers who work tirelessly to keep us safe here at home.

            The 4th of July afforded me a few days off from work. I know I am only working part-time, but I still enjoy having a few days off. Before the break started I was thinking about what I wanted to get done while I was off. I had a mental list going, but never wrote it down. As I told you recently, I like having lists so I can check things off and get that feeling of accomplishment.        

The first couple of days off I slept and did very little. I had been burning the candle at both ends and my body just wanted to rest. I tried to get motivated, with few results. I had the opportunity to catch up with a few friends and relished those moments. I did all my regular chores but found myself reading, watching TV, and trolling the internet.

            I did some small, quiet tasks that have been on my radar. I worked peacefully out in my garden weeding, mulching, and replanting where the rabbits and squirrels have eaten and ruined some areas. I can see where I cleaned, straightened, and put things away, and it makes me feel good. There is always more to do.

            I noticed something the last couple of days of my break. There is this little spark inside. There is a little life that has rekindled. I really can’t explain it. I just know it’s there. I feel ready to engage, ready to get back to teaching. The flame inside is small and it will need to be guarded and fed, but there is something stirring and it feels good. It is a feeling of being refreshed.

            I stay busy and on the go. I find it difficult to unplug and slow down. Resting is an important spiritual principle. To be honest, it’s not one I am very good at doing. God worked for six days to create our universe, and then He rested on the seventh day. Jesus sent the crowds away and His disciples across the lake so He could climb the mountain and have some disengaged quiet time with His Father.

            Sometimes we can disengage at the beach or while going for a hike in the mountains. Our soul and spirit need times to quietly reflect. We can push ourselves at critical moments and our bodies will help us push through, but then we need to find a way to take a deep breath and rest. Everyone recharges their batteries in different ways. The key is to know yourself and give yourself permission to rest. There will always be a list waiting, but disengaging and resting can help you find renewed energy and creativity.

            I encourage you to consider how you get refreshed and then give yourself the permission to do what you need to do to get the rest you require. Working from a place of rest will help you ultimately become more productive. Your mind will work better and your body will cooperate. Invite God into your place of rest and allow His Spirit to infuse yours. Jesus and God both rested. It’s okay for you to rest, too. 

Bows After the Clouds

by   July 8, 2022 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

As my wife Mary Ann and  I watched the black mass move in from the northwest, we realized that the meteorologist had been correct: A large storm brewed in the eerie late afternoon quiet of a hot summer day. The black mass continued to roll over the land and the lake and soon its wind came. Each sudden and violent gust removed leaves and limbs from trees, made big sways in the tall pines, and caused the wind chimes to rattle. At times a lull came as if the wind was resting before the next blast of fierce wind. We watched, hoping that rain would come with the dark wind to bathe our dry garden. We watched and turned on lamps earlier than usual because the coming storm had  shut daylight out with its roiling mass. But soon enough our hope was fulfilled, and we saw the rain, then smelled its richness as it covered trees, shrubs, flowers, every thing.

This is my fourth week of another storm in my life. After twenty careful years of life in my wheelchair, I developed a pressure sore because, very ill with COVID, I sat in the same position on a sofa for over a day. Boom! A massive pressure sore on my tailbone and buttocks. A  pressure sore, like so many situations in life, is easy to get into, but difficult to get out of. And, like some of those things in life that, as Dr. Clarence Jordan writes, “tangle us all up”, they can be deadly. However, Mary Ann and I have treated it with diligence and respect: For the past four weeks I have been in bed on one side or the other except for three short sitting breaks each day. The sore heals, but slowly, through medical care and a releasing of any pressure.

After we ate dinner last night, we watched the storm and smelled the rain’s fresh scent. Leaving lamps lit, we went to our bed to watch a movie, a ritual begun to pass the bedtime caused by the pressure sore. During the movie the storm raged-its rain, thunder, and lightening reminding us of its presence. But after we had watched the movie and were letting the dog out, we noticed a red-orange glow in our front yard. Looking westward, we saw the sky aflame as if it and the lake were on fire. We watched nature’s show, realizing our insignificance compared to what we were seeing. Then, as the bright sky faded into the dark of night, we went to sleep. The next morning we received a photograph from our neighbor Doug in which he shared a photograph he had taken while we were watching the western sky: A double rainbow suspended in the same type of red-orange glow, but this one was  in the east sky, over our split of the lake. We had seen one but not the other.

There are many epic stories of floods that destroy ancient civilizations. However, my favorite is the story of a solitary man who built a boat while being ridiculed by his peers. However, after the flood destroyed all but what  he had taken on his boat, he is made a covenant. And as a reminder of that promise, a “bow” will appear in the clouds.

Storms bring good and bad, but I like to remember that after storms come “bows” and that is a promise in which I have faith. Like the double rainbow Doug photographed, we have been promised, and that will not be broken

Choose to Pursue

by   July 7, 2022 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

They called it Mill Hill.

That’s because the houses were on a hill near the mill. I called it my neighborhood.

I remember playing softball in the middle of that road daily, as I was growing up.

You may want to keep in mind a couple of previous columns where I mentioned my lack of athletic prowess — by finishing last in the mile run, and getting stuck on the rope in PE class. Playing softball was just as bad.

I was an easy out. I would not try to catch a ball nor would I chase the ball, and I backed away from fielding the ball.

Two things could stop our neighborhood ballgames — the street light would come on at dark, which meant it was time to go inside, or the ball would roll down into the dreaded dark storm drain pipe and be irretrievable.

I was not a fan of the dreaded dark storm drain pipe. As I lackadaisically headed to get to to the ball, others would pass me trying to get there before it went down the drain. Obviously, this type of occurrence is where the phrase “down the drain” must have originated.

Why didn’t I go after it? Why didn’t I try?

Was it because I could not pursue that ball, or that I would not pursue that ball?

I remember thinking:

• It is too hard.

• I can’t do it.

• I don’t have confidence.

• I don’t have skill.

• Why even try?

Paul is one example of someone in the Bible who decided to choose to pursue his purpose in life. He knew his suffering would have an eternal consequence. God had chosen him to suffer for the sake of the Gospel — and he was willing to pursue that purpose. When he said “yes!” to Jesus, he sold out for Christ. God did not waste any part of Paul — his background, his physical ability, his mind — and his weakness.

Wonder if he thought that it was too hard, he couldn’t do it, or he didn’t have the confidence or skill. He may have thought those things, but he knew that with God, he could do all things.

When God brings us to it, we should choose to pursue it.

Looking back, I really should have chosen to pursue those balls that went down the drain!

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

Party Time

by   July 5, 2022 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

Nehemiah 8: 10-12- Very loosely paraphrased:

PARTY TIME!!! Break out the paper plates, not those flimsy, use 3 or 4, and hope the beans don’t leak through and run down your elbow kind. Buy the sturdy ones and the heavy cutlery. Everyone bring a covered dish, or two or three just to make sure there’s plenty! Something yummy like your grandma would’ve made. Don’t forget the sweat tea! And real fried chicken- crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle! Macaroni and cheese so thick you have to bang the side of the pan to get it off the serving spoon. While you’re at it churn up some ice cream for on top of the hot cobbler. Yummmm………..!

Nothing says celebrate like great food! They had worked so hard. Then came the worship. Next was repentance. Then thanksgiving. Now PAR-TAAY!

Hard work; Sacrifice; Giving; God’s Word; Worship; Repentance; Thanksgiving; Sharing; Preparing; Planning; Food; Fellowship; Joy; Strength; all because some people got together and cared about what God wanted, and prayed.

It’s a picture of us and our churches too!

If you’re in any church or close relationship very long, you know there will be short comings. If you hang tough and stay strong, you will experience the joy of family done well. Something about weathering storms together always draws us closer to each other. And we are definitely better together!

Dear God, please hold our church safely in Your everlasting arms. Carry us when we have no strength. Give us great joy in You. Help us to love each other so much that You are blessed. But when we get weary, and You know that we will, help us love You way more than any petty grievance that would separate us from each other. Thank You so much for the wonderful joy of knowing You, and for all the folks in our sweet church!

More:

“Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.” -1 Thess. 5:16-22

Mary & Martha

by   July 2, 2022 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            The last couple of weeks have been busy. I have been working hard trying to get things done. I make lists of things that need to get done and they help me focus on what needs my attention the most. Sometimes I am provided a “honey do” list and I will work on those, too. I love the feeling of scratching things off the list.

            Someone asked me if I work on the easy ones first or the hard ones. It is tempting to pick some easy ones in order to get that sense of accomplishment. Some items on the list I don’t really want to do. Those items may linger and reappear on future lists.  

            I am not sure where the idea of lists came from in my life. I think I learned it from professional journal articles talking about how to be more efficient. I may have learned it from my mother, who always has lists. My wife often makes lists as well, especially when planning a trip. Wherever it originated, I use lists in my professional and personal life.

            I have been burning the candle at both ends for several weeks. I had the feeling that I had more to do than time to get it all done. Sometimes when life gets to pressing me my quiet time can get squeezed. I imagine that I am not the only one who allows a busy schedule to squeeze out the Lord. I hate it, but sadly, it has happened.

            In the spring of this year our church dug out all our old landscaping and planted some new shrubs around the front of the church. I was so excited to see the new plants and to be a part of freshening up the outside look of our church. It took a little over two weekends to get all the work done, and I love how it turned out.

            Normally, we get consistent rains and warm temperatures through mid-July. This year we have been lacking rain and having excessive heat. That is not good for new landscaping. I have been at the church a couple times a week trying to keep everything watered. It’s too hot to water in the afternoon, so I have to go in the morning or evening.

            On Sunday I decided I would water before Sunday school. I was running out of time but still had some watering to do. I decided to finish the watering and be a little late for Sunday school. As I continued watering, the story of Mary and Martha went through my head. I was choosing to get the work done instead of sitting at the feet of Jesus. If you know me, you know I always want to be at the feet of Jesus.

            Sunday school was good, but guilt nagged me as I entered the sanctuary. As I listened to the prelude music the nagging continued. In the midst of the music another voice whispered in my ear, “Don’t let guilt and worry keep you from Me.” This voice was filled with grace and love. I immediately engaged with the worship and found myself engulfed in His loving arms.  

            We all have a little Martha in us. I’ve seen it all my life on Pot-Luck Sundays. A group of women will jump up just before the sermon ends to get things ready for us to have lunch. They bless the congregation through their service. When you miss church because you are caring for a loved one who needs you you’re being a blessing.

            My pastor said something the other day that has stirred in my spirit. You have to look at the heart of a person. It made me think about this familiar story in a different light. Jesus wasn’t rebuking Martha for serving. She was doing exactly what she was supposed to be doing. Martha was serving the Lord. Mary needed to hear something in what Jesus was teaching and she wouldn’t be denied. Mary would join Martha shortly in serving.

            I want to encourage you to find ways you can help in your church so you can serve the King. Sometimes you might have to miss the sermon because you are serving the kids in children’s church or helping to get the pot-luck on the table. We have been called just like Jesus to serve others. Some things, like watering the plants or washing the dishes after a pot-luck may not feel significant or spiritual, but Jesus notices that you are serving Him. I encourage you to find a way to be a blessing to others through serving.  

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

Life Cancelled for a Bit

by   July 1, 2022 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

For over twenty years I have lived life with my wheelchair. I was 55 when I had the  accident that made me a T 5-6 paraplegic, and as expected and required, over those years I have adapted. Adaption is easier written than done, but with the help of family, friends, and medical professionals, I have matured into my life from a wheelchair. However, I would be dishonest if I do not confess to certain feelings—such as pining for the days when I raced everything from 400 meters to the marathon; or the ability to bound up a flight of stairs two at a time;  or my day-long hikes on The Ridgeway in England each July; or taking a walk with a loved one on a cool evening. While I learned to manage the new life, I did miss aspects of my old one and at times, I admit, to wallowing in a self-dug pity-pit. But I always remembered the words of Tom Oberdorfer, my counselor, “It’s alright to go there, just don’t stay.” So, whenever I fell into the pit I always crawled out-usually after a good wallow. However, a recent happening has changed my view of my life and what I can’t do.

I got COVID! I had had two shots and one booster, but the horrific infection made me extremely ill for three days. To breathe I sat on a sofa for over 24 hours with my feet propped in my wheelchair. When I was finally able to transfer out of the sofa onto my wheelchair, I had developed my first pressure sore-right on my tailbone. Still feeling the issues from COVID, I went to the ER to have the sore examined. Home again, my wife and I had directions and the name of a local wound-care doctor. Two weeks and two appointments later and after great care by my wife Mary Ann, the sore has lessened a bit. But like all pressure sores, it will only be cured by not applying pressure in any way, which is simple in one aspect–don’t sit. Yet how to do that when a wheelchair is my only way to move? The remedy is to lay in bed to reduce the pressure on the sore. A pile of good books and bandages and butt cream make the hours and curing go faster and better; but it represents lost hours of living as I knew them-wheeling about, living  life in my wheelchair. The pit Tom warned me of looms larger and deadlier.

However, I have concentrated on the things that I used to be able to do—all during my last twenty years. I remember how good it felt to vacuum the downstairs and screen porch and to pick-up pines cones in the front yard and to ride my stationary bike and to and to and to.

Like all good lessons learned by living, my appreciation of the many things I did just a few weeks ago is being  re-taught to me by this experience. I knew that my life was rich and full these past twenty years, but not being able to do those things just now has made them more attractive and appreciated. They become like the old English proverb that describes stolen fruit as the sweetest. There may some wisdom in that proverb because once on the Thames Towpath my friend Druin and I stopped our run to pick delicious cherries from a garden tree overhanging the towpath. We stood stuffing ourselves until a stern voice on the garden side of the wall reminded us that those were not our cherries. Correct. But they were so good.

Soon the cancelled life I led so brief a time ago will return, and I shall celebrate it by vacuuming the downstairs and picking up pinecones. Until then, however, I will read and appreciate my good care.

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