Life from Death

by   March 31, 2024 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

“Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.” – Martin Luther.

I have a growing love of botanicals – their colors and fragrances, the intrinsic detail of each plant, each petal. It is astounding! Yet, I have mixed feelings about receiving plants as gifts. Upon receiving them, my eyes gleam with hope, but then, reality sinks in. I have to feed, water, and protect this living green thing. I have managed to keep five children fed several times a day, in clothing that mostly fits, and put to rest as needed, but I make no such promises with plants. Did I neglect to water you? Did I overcompensate by drowning you? What are these spotty things on your leaves? It looks like you have left us, so do I toss you or hold out false hope?

I found an amaryllis bulb from two Christmases ago that I had tossed into the garage, forgetting what it once held. Upon visiting my stepdad this past Christmas, I saw that the bulb given to him the previous year was flourishing. I asked him, “How did you manage that?” and wondered if there would be hope for my poor, neglected bulb. Of course, I forgot to follow up when I returned home. A month passed before I found it again, but when I did, I finally planted it in a pot with dirt, showering it with water. When I say “planted,” I mean I stuck it in dirt, not even fresh dirt  – something from a bag I found hidden in the shed. Sigh, even my efforts seemed half-hearted. However, in recent weeks, I beam with delight, seeing something green sprouting and flourishing – currently 10-12 inches of greenery. It feels like a resurrection!

I am sure many readers have green thumbs or at least enough dirt under their nails to prove they know what they are doing. Does it astound you when a plant comes back from what seems to be the perils of death? Maybe you rescue plants from the clearance shelf or even the dumpster. You may have even purchased those resurrection plants (Rose of Jericho) through Amazon to witness such a phenomenon. I think deep inside us, we love the idea of life coming from seeming death. What a lovely reminder during the Easter season – the Resurrection season! Not only was Christ resurrected from actual death, but the same power that raised Him can also transform those of us dead in Christ, miserable in the existence and bondage of sin. The same power will give Christians a true, bodily resurrection, not merely a spiritual resurrection.

Romans 1:16 – which by now the avid reader knows is a favorite verse of mine – points to nature’s general revelation of God’s attributes. That knowledge compels us to learn the special revelation of ideas like redemption in the truth of God’s Word. Through general revelation in nature, these signs of resurrection in what is seemingly dead – a resting plant bulb – are a pale comparison to He who was truly dead and fully resurrected. But it is something to learn from and to point us to God’s Word.

As you nurture diseased or seemingly lifeless plants to health this spring season, may your heart and attention be directed to the resurrection that has occurred in Christ and that which will happen for believers in Christ. What an opportunity to worship as we work, grow, and cultivate!

Ashlie Miller and her husband Chad do a lot of weeding, nurturing, and pruning….but mostly on their 5 children in Concord, NC. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

God as Our Father

by   March 30, 2024 with No Comments

            Let’s face it, there are not many families like The Brady Bunch or Leave it to Beaver. There are no families with the perfect moms and dads and all the kids who never do anything wrong. We like to watch those families and dream. The reality is that no one has a perfect family.

            How can any perfect family exist when we have fallen from grace? That being said, many of us were lucky to grow up in good families where many good memories were created. As a public school teacher, I know that many students grew up in less than ideal conditions. Many families were fractured, leaving students with emotional scars and hearts wishing for the fantasy families that we find on TV.

            Given that no family is perfect, we all have memories we wish we could erase and some that are very special treasures. Most of our parents and grandparents tell stories of their childhood that we have heard numerous times. Did you hear about walking to school uphill both ways? What precious memories!

            The trouble with the bad memories is that they impact our view of the Heavenly Father. God is a wonderful and good Father. The trouble comes with how we imagine or perceive that relationship when our only comparison comes with our earthly fathers. Even the best father on earth is flawed and can give us a blurry vision of God our Father.

            As a teacher, I knew some of my students had never met their father. That could make them feel like God is absent, distant, and doesn’t care about them. Some of my students had parents that were divorced. That could make them feel like God has other priorities and doesn’t really have time for them. Some of my students experienced some kind of abuse from their fathers. That could give them an image of an abusive God who wants to belittle and hurt them.

            There are many good qualities in my life that come from my father. The quality I admire the most is his work ethic. My Dad always worked with the highest integrity and I tried to live my work life by those same high standards. I always thought my Dad dressed sharply. I always liked wearing nice clothes with a great tie. These are just two of the qualities that I appreciate about my father.

            How do we have a relationship with God our Heavenly Father? We can’t see Him, although we can talk with Him. Many people choose not to talk with Him, but I think life is much better when we do. Many believe that God is too busy with world events to be interested in our lives. Nothing can be further from the truth. Because God is omnipresent and unrestricted by time, He can be intimately involved with each of us all at the same time.

            The Bible is God’s love letter to us, filled with many promises about our present and future. He wants us to know that He is planning our future here on earth and what He has planned for those who believe in Jesus when we arrive in heaven. There are many examples of how God interacts with people and how deeply He cares for each one of us.

            The Bible tells us over and over again that God loves us. In fact, once He discovered that our relationship was broken with Him because of sin, He made a plan for how to fix the problem. He sent His Son Jesus to die on a cross to pay the price for our sin and failures. The Good News we celebrate on Easter is that Jesus did not stay dead but He has risen and become victorious over death and sin. By accepting Jesus as our Savior, we can have a relationship with God our Father. It’s a free gift! All your sins and failures wiped away! No more guilt or shame. Then we can experience God’s immeasurable love.

            I want to encourage you to make the very important decision to accept Jesus as your Savior so you can be assured of your place in heaven. You can experience the love and acceptance of God deep in your heart. His perfect peace can wash over you and free you from worry and anxiety. You can know a joy residing in you that cannot be shaken by the crazy things that are going on in our world today. Make this Easter the best yet by accepting Jesus and getting to know God as your Heavenly Father.

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

Renewal

by   March 29, 2024 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

March 19th was the first day of spring and the March equinox, which occurred at 5:37 A.M EDT, is marked. I noted the sun’s position over our house roof as I rode the stationary bike which I had recently moved from the screen porch to the front, on a corner of the driveway. The changing of the bike is a seasonal one that places it on the porch for the winter cold but outside for all the other days. Thus, each March when I begin riding in the front of our yard, I anticipate a renewal with neighbors and other walkers.

The spring equinox occurs when the earth tilts so that the sun crosses the equator, and the northern hemisphere shifts closer to the sun, and we begin to experience spring followed by summer.  This day of equal light and dark is almost magical, and I thought of the Greek myth of  Persephone, and her journey from the underworld that brought the earth its renewal each spring.

The spring renewal under the forty pine trees in our front yard is spectacular, and for my new rides here, the life of rebirth is awe inspiring. I marvel watching all the life under our pines—the male birds staking territory like settlers on the prairie, the emergence of fresh leaves on every plant like splashes of paint, and the innumerable green shoots bursting forth like rockets escaping gravity. But I am most eager to re-acquaint myself with neighbors who I have not had a meaningful conversation with since last fall.

            Over the past two weeks, I have shared in good renewal chats with Ethel; Martha, Rich and their poodle-doodle Buddy; and exchanged a “Good morning” with others. Some neighbors, like Ken, do not count because he had often visited with me on the screen porch—even in the coldest mornings.  But one pair I have not renewed with is Max and her standard, cream-colored Pomeranian Puccini, nicknamed Puci. He generously carried the nickname as well as his formal one.

            Max and Puci live near the end of our dead-end street, and for the three and a half years I have ridden the stationary bike in our front yard, I have always known they were coming up our road because I would hear him barking at each vehicle as it passed. His short, sharp bark at a passing vehicle was a signal for me to begin watching for them on the ox-bend of our road. Sure enough,  I would soon see him walking with his mistress along the edge of the road. He would stop and inspect odors only he or other dogs could detect, study other objects of interest, and then royally continue on to the intersection near our house that marked his turn-around. When Max saw me riding the stationary , she would say, “Puci, let’s say hello to Roger,” before walking over to chat. He would greet me with one of his barks, allow me to touch him if he were in the mood, and after being polite long enough so as not to embarrass his mistress, he would turn to face the direction of their home. It was his announcement that they had given me enough of their morning, and it was time to go. Then off to home, his sharp barks and noble carriage marking his journey to whatever awaited him at home.

            The spring equinox announces change. The scene that I rode in last fall is still like that where I  ride now: The forty pine trees, the road, my shop building, the vast sky, all of it is the same as last fall. Yet, over the winter months, change did occur and, while some of it is expected, some of it, like death, came unannounced, bringing its companion grief. Then the sadness.

            Puccini, the grand little fellow, died from cancer. No longer will his short, sharp bark herald his coming like the whistle of an upstream steamboat. No longer will his well-groomed, cream form move gracefully along the long bend of our road. No longer will he wait patiently and regally as two humans chat away precious minutes of his morning walk. During the cold of winter he, as King David wrote, “Went the way of all living things.”

 Puccini, the cream-colored, standard Pomeranian, was just a dog, but what a fine dog he was.  And because we embrace that, we will be renewed when we celebrate an early-morning bark signaling that a dog comes round the bend of Isle of Pines Road.

Rain Collides with Racing

by   March 28, 2024 with No Comments

By David Freeze

We have been fortunate over the years with rain. I remember lots of forecasts for big rain that fizzled out. I remember only one that had worse conditions that what happened at the Wipe Out Colorectal Cancer 5K this past Saturday. That popular race benefited the fire department and was held at the J.F. Hurley YMCA. The finish was on the track behind the Y and all finishers had to run through 6-8 inches of standing water near the finish.

On Saturday, May 9, we heard the forecast all week calling for 95-100% chances of rain. Prayers for a better day didn’t work out this time. The 5K start was set near the dugouts at the Catawba softball field, with a quick run out that sidewalk over the bridge and a hard right on the greenway headed for the Crescent.

In an area where water often stands, recent rains made the situation worse. Water was already across the sidewalk before the early Saturday rains. Six inches of standing water again, and this would have been at the start of the race, not a good thing for shoes. We moved the start up on Forestdale Street, just outside the greenway entrance. A quickly painted S in the middle of the road made a brand new start line.

We didn’t expect a whole lot of the 172 registered runners to show up as the steady rain continued to fall. Volunteers to man the course intersections were missing too, another victim of the rain. But quick work by a shorthanded cone crew marked the course through the Crescent development and we were ready for a race.

Cars started to arrive and kept coming. All with wipers and lights on. Most of the runners and walkers got out seriously dressed for the rain. Race organizers from Rowan Diagnostic Clinic gave out free ponchos to all who wanted one. Headgear was varied and interesting as the rain got harder.

The finish line had to be shortened as standing water began to rise near the softball field. Participants were alerted at the last minute to drive to 1111 Forestdale, the new start. Suddenly the street was packed with cars as runners and walkers hustled to begin the race.

The race began on time at 9 a.m., just as the rain became a steady downpour. They ran and walked the greenway and toured the Crescent before heading back toward Catawba. In the meantime, SRR’s finish line volunteers had established a scaled down finish area with cones and a clock, which then quickly drowned out. The first runners back had to slow down to keep from running into the water.

I’ve seen few races with such a large number of the biggest smiles I have ever seen at a finish line. Finish line volunteers greeted the participants with more smiles, knowing that this was an unusual race, not just for the rain but for its purpose. It’s likely a race that few will forget, and Rowan Diagnostic Clinic organizers are already looking toward next year.

Race director Lauren Britt said, “The CheckIt4Andretti Foundation helped provide the connections and the funding to deliver colonoscopies to low-income, high-risk patients that are either uninsured or too young for their insurance to cover the procedure. Nancy Andretti is the founder of the foundation, and she created the movement after her husband, John Andretti (who is Mario Andretti’s nephew and a former NASCAR driver for Richard Petty), passed away from colon cancer at the age of 56. Nancy got in contact with our Digestive Health Associates office and our two GI doctors agreed to partner with the foundation to provide those colonoscopies for people in Rowan County. As of right now, we’ve raised just over $8,000 to donate to their foundation but we are expecting more donations to continue to come in, specifically from some of our doctors here.” Nancy, son Jarrett and daughters, Olivia and Amelia, all completed the race.

Britt continued, “One of RDC’s owners, Dr. Sean Malone, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2022 and is still battling it so this race and fundraiser was also to honor him and to get awareness out about early detection.” Contact Britt at lbritt@rowandiagnostic.com

For information on other upcoming events, see www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.

Source of Life

by   March 27, 2024 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

John 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

  • Streams… not a small source or a one time, but a continual flow will come from inside as God moves.
  • When we are in Him not only do we receive, but we also become a source.
  • We believe in Him and follow after Him and we become connected and we become a receiver and a giver of water that brings life. 

Prayer:  Lord I do want to be a source and to drink myself of Your living water.  I believe in You with all my heart and know who You are – the Son of God and wonderful Savior. Help me to share today this wonderful living water with others. Amen.


Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Home

by   March 26, 2024 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

For this world is not our permanent home.

“We are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore…

Let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God;”

-Hebrews 13:14,15

Always Been There

by   March 26, 2024 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

For you have been my hope, my confidence since my youth. — Psalm 71:5

As a 13-year-old, I began attending church and became involved in a youth group. I knew little about God’s Word, but there were youth leaders and pastors who did. I accepted Jesus into my heart, and began my journey toward spiritual understanding.

When I went away to college, I stopped going to church for a period of time. Spiritually, I ended up in a season of indifference. But the spiritual seed that had been planted in my heart remained. I had my Bible with me in my dorm room, and occasionally, I would take a peek inside the covers of God’s Word, see a verse I loved, and underline it in red.

I knew in my heart that Jesus was my hope and had been since my youth.

I did not understand it, but my confidence in Jesus as my Savior remained.

I will hope continually, and will yet praise you more and more. — Psalm 71:14

I finished college and began my teaching career. God began to work in my life. As years began to pass, I began to turn toward my heart even more toward Christ. I began desiring a closer relationship with Jesus. The years were filled with seasons of success and seasons of failure, but my Christian walk was growing stronger every season.

The spiritual seed that had been planted during my youth had continued to grow. I had a teaching career, but I also spent those years serving the Lord while being a part of the local church. One day, I realized I had begun feasting on His Word not just at church, but also at home. My love for Jesus had grown.

I experienced Jesus being my Savior, Protector, Comforter and Provider.

I experienced Jesus.

And with me Jesus has remained.

I am in awe of how Jesus is with all of us at one time.

How can we help but praise Him more and more? Even when you are old, I will take care of you. Even when your hair turns gray, I will support you. I made you and will continue to care for you. — Isaiah 46:4

I think my hair may now be gray, but I have a hair stylist who makes that gray disappear before I can barely see it. I do admit that I may be starting to feel a little older, as the physical and the mental is a little more difficult.

But the spiritual grows sweeter every day. The Word of God comes more alive in my spirit. I can open my Bible and sometimes my heart begins to race as I sense His Word coming alive through the power of the Holy Spirit. There is something about the season of gray hair — or hair that is not yet allowed to turn gray — that is full of the sweet savor of my Savior.

Now that I think about it, all seasons of my life have been like that.

God has always been there. We have never been alone.

He made us, He loves us and He will continue to care for us, no matter our stage in life. Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker.

Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

How to hear (really!) the Voice of God

by   March 25, 2024 with No Comments

By Rhonda Sassano

How to hear (really!) the voice of God

If you are like me, I struggle to recognize the voice of the Lord.  Especially when I’m hurting inside over … well, whatever the latest situation is.  Couple that with constantly battling depression, and I’m in a pickle just trying to pluck up courage to pray, much less hear what He’s really saying.  But.  I came across the “Honesty Tool” a couple of years ago.  All the kudos to Jonathon and Melissa Helser and the team at Cageless Birds (find them on FaceBook!)  for putting it together and making it available.  The Honesty Tool can be found in at least two of their Captivated workbooks, volumes 4 and 6.  But here it is in a nutshell:

Using the Honesty Tool

When you encounter a situation that brings up an intense reaction, either internally or externally (or both), STOP.  As soon as possible, find a quiet place and walk through these steps.

  1. Grab something with which to write things down (pen and paper are best, but a tablet works too.)  Say, “Holy Spirit, I need your help.  What is really going on when that happens?” Then, write down the gist of the situation that created your angst. 
  2. Include thoughts and feelings that you were experiencing because of  the situation.
  3. Reflect.  Go back and read what you wrote down.  Underline any thoughts that are scripturally untrue.  
  4. Say, “Holy Spirit, speak to me the truth.  What does Father say about these things?”

        5.  Write down what the Father says in the form of a letter from Him to you.  

            Start with “Dear Name,” and write it all down.  Don’t stop until He finishes.  Don’t worry,  you’ll know.  

Let me share a sample with you from my own experience.  I’ll try not to give TMI ;D

Holy Spirit, what is really going on here?  I feel detached.  From you.  I realize I’m disappointed about having to find another job, but this detached feeling started before that.  Losing a couple very important items for a week certainly didn’t help. Not finding them even after I prayed has been a let-down, too.  But I did find all three items eventually, so thank you for that.  My better half needs regular medical care right now, and it’s unknown how far into the future that will need to continue.  The expense alone is … more than I can think about without getting overwhelmed.  And despite my prayers for healing, the situation worsened…it’s hard to keep believing when that happens.  I don’t know what to do differently with diet and physical aspects to help the healing begin.  I do know ALL healing comes from You, so maybe I should just receive it as it comes and not fuss about the delivery or lack thereof…. Lack of success with my website is a blow, too, because I thought that would be a source of income and I wouldn’t need to keep looking for employment.  We experienced some unexpected rejection by friends and family members at a wedding we had traveled to attend.  Then, a very close friend didn’t appreciate my answer to an impertinent query.  Then they asked me, “How come worshipping doesn’t fix you?”  I was shocked and hurt at the lack of understanding. 

I am really struggling to process all the disappointment.  Are they all just paper tigers, meant to keep me from Your Presence? Out of the Holy of Holies?  To obscure the sight of Your throne?  Your face?  All together they do not seem momentary or light afflictions.  They feel heavy and burdensome and cumbersome. I try to lay them down, but another one always comes…

(Pause right here for a sec.  I should go back and underline some of the lies in the previous paragraphs, but I didn’t want to interrupt your reading.  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the lies to you…)

Holy Spirit, please speak to me Your truth.  What does Father say about these things?

“My Precious Rhonda.  None of this is meant for your disappointment.  I am letting these things stir up stuff from the bottom so I can skim them off the top.  So the top water will be as clear and refreshing as what’s coming out of the dike.  I know you look at your life and see nothing but debris and swirling mud.  I receive your worship in the midst of the struggle.  It is a sacrifice that I admire and receive with such immense joy!  Don’t let go of the life preservers of my Word and your own worship!  Floods eventually recede.  Let Me get rid of the debris before it settles back into place.  Keep telling yourself the truth!  “Think on these things,” keep your focus on ME, on the eternal!  You are doing GREAT!  You continue to obey even with a small cheat here and there, but I truly don’t mind, if it helps you fast longer.  The idea of income from the website wasn’t in My plan.  It won’t meet the need.  And that is OK.  It’s My job to provide for you, not yours.  You just trust ME.  You keep worshipping.  

And btw, worshipping doesn’t “fix you.”  It changes your perspective of ME, not necessarily those in your life.  That’s not the purpose of worship.  The purpose of worship is to glorify Me, to make Me bigger in your life.  Don’t respond to the manipulative comments.  Don’t act in kind when the opportunity arises. Your friend belongs to Me.  I will get through to them in My own way, in My own time.  Keep reminding yourself of the good things.  All the good things.  Of the truth of My Word.  You’ve experienced it for yourself.  Call it to mind.  Still true, regardless of emotions.  I, even I am saying these things to you, my Beloved.  They are true and I love you intensely.  Remember the “word for the year” that I gave you:  “ALL OF IT”…. “All of it” is on the way, and already happening!  

Love, Abba”

I hope you can sense the Father’s heart towards me in His reply.  He doesn’t avoid the questions.  His answers are direct, poignant, and reasonable.  How do I know it’s the Father’s voice and not out of my own head?  That’s easy… I am not so kind to myself, or so encouraging.  I never refer to myself as “precious” or remind myself to refer to the Word or acknowledge that emotions are less important than the truth of Scripture.  All those things assure me that whenever I turn to Him with my whole heart, He is there.  He answers.  Even better and more incredulous, He WANTS to speak to me and He WANTS me to hear and recognize His voice.  

Now, you have a choice. The only question is, are you ready to hear His voice?  Sit down with pen and paper.  Think back to your last overreaction or intense response.  Follow the steps and see what happens.  I think you’ll like it!

With joy and renewed hope,

Rhonda 

P.S.  If you are struggling with anxiety, disappointment, fear, discouragement, or depression, please reach out to me.  There are several options on my bio page, but here’s the easiest way:  email me at sunnyshade13@gmail.com.  I’m a certified mental health coach who also struggles with some of the above, and I would be honored to help you on the journey to better mental health and even healing.  

Deadly Regrets

by   March 24, 2024 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

Like Aesop’s fables, spring trees and plants tell stories of something worth learning or remembering. Some tales have emerged from folklore tied to Christianity, but I love the symbolism many admirers of creation have developed to share the gospel story. One such tree I only learned about recently is the Judas Tree (the Eastern Redbud). A friend noticed a photo of this tree on my Facebook stories and gave me a short lesson on its legend. Much like the story of the dogwood tree, which reflects the crucifixion of Christ, the Judas Tree reflects the tragic narrative of the one who betrayed Christ. I will let the reader take the time to Google this folklore as it is pretty interesting.

Judas is a tragic being in the Christian narrative. One chosen to follow Christ and, in the end, not only sold the Messiah for temporary treasures but then regretted it to the point of ending his life. Imagine kissing your Teacher, your friend, and also the one whose last point of touch with you was to serve you by washing your dirty feet. His Teacher said, “What you do, do quickly,” almost as if Judas could only do such betrayal issued by the Enemy in haste. Isn’t that always the way with the Enemy? He whispers hurry and haste because he realizes that if we slow down, pause, and consider what we are doing, we will have instant regrets.

After seeking an opportunity to betray Christ (see Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 13 for reference), after going through the motions of the Last Supper, after kissing the One whom he would betray as a signal that “this is the man,” the weight of sin and wrong upon his heart is worse than that of those 30 coins he throws at the feet of the chief priests and elders. It’s too late. He cannot turn back the clock on the events he set in motion. Regrets. Is it repentance?

Others who are much wiser and more eloquent than I have written on the difference between regretting and repenting, so I will not expound on it here but rather remind the reader. Judas is a picture of one with regrets. His actions are external. They lead to such great sorrow that his only control over the situation is an external, physical fix – returning the money, verbalizing his mistake, and then ending his life tragically. He cannot change the outcome or his future.

How is that different from Peter? Peter may not have betrayed Christ but he denied him. Repeatedly. The one so quick and loud with words and boasts of promised faithfulness to his Rabbi was hiding in the corners when it was crunch time, marring his talk with cursing, distancing himself in the heat of the battle as he warmed by the fire.

But Peter’s battle is internal and emotional, and he is unable to make amends on his efforts. At a final moment with Christ (John 21), we see a private conversation between Peter and the Messiah, one of a repentant spirit that leads to change.

Both men sinned greatly against the One they followed so closely. With one man, efforts made to cover sorrow over a mistake led to tragedy. With the other, a contrite spirit led to freedom, experienced through repentance and forgiveness. No longer living in constant sorrow, a man changed to set the world ablaze with the gospel.

This Holy Week, let us take a walk or drive, notice the Judas Tree, and then ask ourselves, “Am I living a life of regrets I cannot fix? Or am I ready to surrender in repentance and know the freedom found only in forgiveness that will lead to a change in my life?”

Ashlie Miller is a homeschool and co-op teacher and wife of a lead pastor church planter. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

Jesus as a Teacher

by   March 23, 2024 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I have been teaching professionally for 39 years. Where has all that time gone? Over that period of time that I have had thousands of students in class, on the job, and at internship sites. It is hard to imagine interacting with that many students. After all this time, I still love being a teacher. I am thankful for the opportunity to continue doing what I love.

            Teachers are expected to do far more than teach curriculum. We are expected to be disciplinarians and medics. We have to know how to encourage slower students and motivate high-flying students. We have to be counselors to students who are going through various trials and troubles at home, work, and school. We are also expected to teach students important life skills while also insuring that they pass standardized tests. We have to help our students understand and deal with local tragedies like the passing of a classmate and world events like 9/11. We are expected to be cheerleaders and life coaches. When the students go home our work is not done because we have to call parents, plan lessons for tomorrow, and grade papers.

            That is not even close to a complete list because I didn’t include sponsoring clubs, coaching sports, working gate duties, lunch and hall duties, attending open houses, and attending other evening events like award programs. There are never enough hours in a day. On top of all that you have to remember that teachers have personal lives and the demands of our families.

            One of the roles Jesus had while He was on earth was teacher. Some people believe that He supernaturally knew everything, including how to teach. I do not believe that. I believe that Jesus had to spend some quiet time alone thinking about ways to teach His disciples and the crowds. He had to develop relevant examples that His listeners could understand and connect with on a personal level. Jesus had to create lesson plans.

            We know Jesus taught with parables. Parables are stories with a lesson or a moral. Why would Jesus use parables? I think one reason is that they are easy to remember. We all remember stories we heard from our parents or grandparents. Stories have been told since the dawn of time and they are powerful tools in the hands of a good teacher.

            Jesus taught us many things by example. When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet He was teaching them the importance of serving others. There are so many things that need to be done around churches and your pastor would be thankful for any help you could provide. Jesus taught us to forgive those who wrong us. When Jesus was on the cross He asked the Father to forgive those who crucified Him. He taught us the importance of restoring people because He restored Peter after he denied knowing Jesus three times. Jesus taught us the hard lesson of obedience when He asked the Father if He could save humanity without going to the cross. Jesus told the Father, “Nevertheless, not what I want but your will be done.” Jesus, we thank you for teaching us this hard lesson and for paying the price for our sins.

            Jesus taught us many other things. He taught us how to pray. He gave us a great example in the Lord’s Prayer, which most of us can quote. Jesus taught us about how much our Father in Heaven loves us through the parable of the prodigal son. He taught us that the Father is willing to leave the 99 sheep and come looking for us when we have strayed and gotten lost. Jesus taught us that He came to set us free. He came for us to be healed physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. He wants us to live full and blessed lives, knowing we are forgiven.

            I want to encourage you meet the greatest teacher who ever lived and invite Him to be your Lord and Savior. He died to give you access to your Heavenly Father. He loves you beyond what you can imagine. He has done everything to make a way for you, but you have to take the critical step of accepting this wonderful gift from God. Complete forgiveness is available for you. Peace of mind, in spite of your circumstances, is yours. Joy, which is far greater than happiness, comes through a relationship with Jesus. Here is one more important step He wants you to take: He wants you to share this good news with others. Don’t keep it to yourself, give it away, especially now at Easter.

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

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