Hope in 60 Seconds

by   August 10, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

If you’re a Christian, you know you carry the Hope of eternity with the gospel for a world that needs to hear it, but how does one initiate opportunities for such conversations? I have friends who are bold and courageous, getting straight to it while in line at a quick service counter, “Hey, we just came from church and are eating together here. Do you go to church? You don’t?! You should come to ours!” Sometimes, we let our server know when we are about to pray that we would be happy to pray for them if they feel comfortable sharing something. Many times, they have a specific need.

But one of my recent go-to questions for engaging people in the marketplace is looking for a person wearing a cross pendant around their neck. Believe it or not, on most errand days, I will usually connect with at least one. “Tell me about why you wear your cross or what it means to you?” I may be met with a bright smile and a ready answer to share the gospel with me! That has been refreshing and even surprising at times. I realized I had previously asked one young man at my local Harris Teeter this question when I recalled him giving a similar answer before. He began responding with the scripture on the back of the cross that helps him keep his focus when tempted to sin. I was amazed at his readiness to share something genuine and personal. I wondered aloud if he was often asked this question. He replied, “No, actually, I think you are one of the only people to ask.” 

One young lady at my favorite coffee spot thanked me for recognizing her cross and engaging her. She was wearing three, actually, and commented that no one had ever asked her before why she wears them, which she thought was odd given the number of crosses she wore. She was excited to tell me about her relationship with the Lord in the church that she attends. The young lady further commented, “You know, it is strange that people wear it as a fashion statement, because why would people wear this for any other reason than a relationship with Jesus? Do people really know what this cross means? A yarmulke is also a piece of religious symbolism, but no one wears it as a fashion statement.” I smiled at her wisdom.

At other times, the answer is nostalgic: “My grandmother always wore one.” I will ask, “OK, but does that have any personal significance for you?” Since I cannot have a whole conversation in a 30-second interaction, I follow this up by urging them to seek out the meaning behind the cross and its significance. My hope and prayer is that as they think back over their day or evening, they revisit that interaction. 

At other times, I have found people who wear it as a charm of sorts or only as a cultural identifier. The young Walmart cashier told me his thick black cross was a relative’s urn, which he wears for good luck. Another young man at the car wash wears one because he and his family attend church. When I asked him, “OK, but what about for you? Does that have any personal significance?” He was at least honest, saying, “Not really.” Again, I encouraged him to seek that out. 

Linguistic theft (words no longer meaning what they once meant) and the hijacking of Christian symbolism mean that we can not make assumptions by what someone is wearing or plastering on their vehicles to determine what they believe. These can be great conversation starters to either find a common belief or question a belief with thought-provoking questions.

What are the ways you are using to connect with others deeply in one-minute or less interactions? 

Ashlie Miller’s favorite cafes are Holy Grind and Press & Porter. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

Heading Back to School

by   August 9, 2025 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Back to School

            It is time for students to head back to school. I remember as a kid that the first day of school was the day after Labor Day and the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Sadly, Jerry Lewis has passed away. Many of today’s youth have no idea of what a wonderful thing he did each year for Muscular Dystrophy. When I was growing up, we used to watch parts of his marathon show every year, mainly to see all the stars who would stop by and offer their support.

            The next day was always the first day of school. Did your Mom make you take first day of school pictures? We always got some new clothes for the first day of school. We would stand on our front steps and hope our mother would include our heads in the picture. Most years we had good first day of school pictures.

            Then it was off to the bus stop, where eight to ten kids gathered. Buses did not stop at every kid’s house. We had to walk to specific places and wait. On rainy days, the mother closest to the stop would open her garage door and we waited there for the bus. On cold winter days, we just stood out there and froze. Things have really changed.  

            Today, many parents or grandparents drop off and pick up their children from school. Naturally, many of the high school students drive themselves to school. I remember driving to school. There was a church in front of our school that allowed students to get parking permits. I always chose to park my car down there. It was just about a block walk and much better for getting in and out of school.

            Regardless of how kids arrive, it is time to crank back up and begin the process of educating students once again. At the community college, we work year around. We have a nice break around the 4th of July and a great break at Christmas. I can relate to back to school a little as we just got a new batch of students a couple of weeks ago. When we start over with a new group there is lots of planning that goes into preparing for the new group of students. For 34 years I worked hard to make my classroom inviting and welcoming to students.

            The real power to affect and change a student’s destiny doesn’t come through inspiring speakers, quotes, Power Points, or all the good planning that teachers will do. The real power comes through prayer. I have always prayed for schools, teachers, staff, and administrators. I want to encourage you to join me in praying for our school systems, including colleges. Your prayers can and will make the difference in whether the schools in your area will have a successful school year or one where teachers fail to reach students and change lives.

            I believe in education. I believe teachers can help students understand the past so we won’t repeat the same mistakes again. I believe teachers can help students realize that math is vital to surviving in our society. I believe teachers can inspire minds to imagine where technology can take us. I believe teachers can help students discover the exciting world of science and how good health is within their reach. I believe teachers can help students discover outstanding writers who will take students on wild adventures. Every occupation in the world requires teachers to lead the way.

            So I petition and ask you once again for your prayers. Your prayers can help students focus on learning. Your prayers can help to keep our schools safe. Your prayers can open students’ eyes to possibilities they never imagined. Your prayers and encouragement will keep students in school and engaged in the learning process. Your prayers will strengthen teachers as we endeavor to impart our knowledge. Your prayers make a difference.

            I want to encourage you to pray for everyone in your educational system. Pray for the bus drivers and cafeteria workers all the way up to the superintendent. Pray for your kids, the neighborhood kids, your grandkids, for all the students who will be returning to schools…including private and home-schoolers. Teachers need your prayers if we hope to have a positive influence on the students who will fill our classrooms. I love being a teacher and the opportunity it gives me to influence lives. Let’s all hope and pray it will be a great year!

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

Dennis Joseph Creamer

by   August 9, 2025 with No Comments

Personal note: My Dad passed away and I wanted to share his obit with you….

Dennis Joseph Creamer

November 22, 1932 to August 5, 2025

Dennis was a man with a slow smile who liked to debate the tough questions in life.  He found many amazing people that would tolerate his persistence.

Dennis was an Army veteran that served in Korea.  He was deeply moved by the respect that he was shown as a veteran  when he took the Triad Honor Flight to Washington DC.

Having worked ever since he was a young boy delivering papers to the neighbors in Scranton, working his way up in the auto industry, and going into business for himself; Dennis was not prepared to give up meaningful employment when he retired from Nypro Carolina and just play golf. He enjoyed a variety of second careers that allowed time for golf and travel; bus driver and then Head of Transportation at Greensboro Day, Uber Driver and Valet car parker at the airport. He enjoyed traveling and experiencing new places.  Morocco, Moscow and Leningrad Russia (in the winter), Mexico, Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, New England and a Holiday Tours Bus trip all the way to Deadwood, South Dakota and back. His favorite trip was to Boston where he saw his beloved Red Sox play two games in Fenway Park. He also enjoyed cruising and people-watching on the ships. One of the special cruises was around Cape Horn from Chile to Argentina and another included Canada, Labrador, Greenland, Iceland and Norway. He also cruised the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Seas and traversed the Panama Canal. During one trip he and Linda snuck on the famed Pebble Beach golf course.  When he wasn’t working or traveling, you could find him playing Senior golf at Iron Play and kibbitzing with his buddies.  He managed to hit a hole in one at the age of 90. Retirement turned out to be enjoyable.

Dennis is survived by his beautiful partner Linda Branch, children Denise (Tucker) Ritner, Dennis (Beth) Creamer, Doug (Marissa) Creamer, and Deborah (Jon) Hall, 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday August 24 at 1:00 pm at Hanes Lineberry 515 N Elm Street, Greensboro, NC.  If you plan to attend the service, come prepared to explain why.

In lieu of flowers or gifts please consider a donation to Triad Honor Flight https://www.triadhonorflight.org/donate/

There is ALWAYS hope

by   August 8, 2025 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Psalms 42:5-6 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon–from Mount Mizar.

  • Certainly, hope deferred or hope lost makes the soul sick.
  • The enemy tries to steal our hope which we may never give up, because while there is a God there is always hope.
  • We remind ourselves of who God is and what He has already done in our lives and soon our hope returns and even our confidence and faith.

Prayer:  Lord I look to You today and I even lift my face and eyes to the heavens as a symbol knowing that You are always there for me and know that You will always help me. I rejoice in You and praise Your holy name because there is no one like You.  Amen.

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Hopes and Dreams

by   August 6, 2025 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

We have the most beautiful hydrangea bush I’ve ever seen. This year it’s been on its best behavior. Giant blooms which start out a light green, turn pink, then violet and eventually a gorgeous deep purple, Oh! It gives me such joy. So many times I’ve tried to root the bush. I’ve tried Root Tone, stems in a jar of water, placing a brick on a low limb while pushing the still attached shoot into fertile soil… all the things. Last year I thought I had one off-shoot take root. I babied it until I thought it was strong enough, then carefully moved it to a better place. A short while later, it gave up the ghost. But my heart took courage when my daughter brought a cutting from my mother-in-law’s big white snowball bush. That was another favorite we’d been trying to root since Nina’s passing. It too keeled over shortly after the transplant. Fast forward to this summer. Two little shoots struggled upward in the flowerbed to the side of our wheelchair ramp. I could hardly believe my eyes when Hannah pointed them out to me as their heads poked up above the coneflowers and black-eyed-Susans. If they would just hang on in this southern heat, maybe next year they’d be strong enough to bush and bloom. It gave me hope. Hey. A girl can dream!

Fast forward again to the day we planned to bring David home from the hospital to begin Hospice care. I stepped outside on the ramp as we waited for the ambulance transport and nearly rested my hand on the rail where a snake lay sunning itself. I stumbled backward into the house as I sputtered and choked on my own spit. Stephanie, who was here to help with her Dad, came running. Together we looked out the glass door to see that the snake still made itself at home on the handrail. If there’s anything David hates worse than snakes, I sure don’t know what it would be. And the transport people would be wheeling him up that very ramp any minute. Not the homecoming I had planned.

Out a different door Stephanie flew as she grabbed a hoe and knocked that slimy demon onto the ground. Like lightning, Slimy Demon shot through the undergrowth. Stephanie was not having it. She chopped at that wicked reptile with all her might. I was so proud. Except I was hoping and maybe even praying a little that she didn’t whack off my fledgling hydrangeas. It’s crazy what we think about when confronted with the unexpected. Finally, the chopping stopped. Slowly, she returned the hoe to stand guard at it’s normal place, then came in to hug me. There may have been a few tears. It had been a hard morning. The car had also died on the way to sign him out that morning. But she did it! Her daddy was on his way home, even if it was just for a few days before he was transported to his true Home. At least while he was here, he did not have to worry about snakes or the car or anything else that he would normally protect his favorite girls from. And I forgot all about the babied hydrangea sprouts.

My grandson Jesse got rid of the snake carcass. The following week progressed in a blur until David was truly called Home. It was a bittersweet time with family and friends gathered for meals and hard good byes. Then everything got quiet.

This morning, three weeks later as I watered my plants, I noticed. Both cuttings look to be thriving. It’s hard, but I’m trying to take joy in that. Life goes on… until it doesn’t. At times we can be brave and feel such victory. But sometimes not so much. I’m learning. God does not expect me to be brave all the time. There is a time for every purpose under Heaven. And I’m finding, that when I draw near to Him, He really does draw near to me. Best of all, I will see my Beloved again before too long. In the mean time, the sorrow is very real. But! “I will not sorrow as those who have no hope.” -from 1 Thess. 4:13. The same God that David and I have served and trusted all our lives, will carry us safely Home.

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A Lesson on Grace

by   August 5, 2025 with No Comments

In today’s world we could all use a little more grace. Steve Hartman shares a story about one family offering grace to a woman. It is a shining example for us to follow. Enjoy the story.

Finding Peace in the End

by   August 4, 2025 with No Comments

Let me say that I do not agree with everything that is shared in this piece. The reason that I am posting it is that my family is and has been facing grief…the grief of loss. I thought if others are going through what we are going through that maybe it might offer some hope and peace. I believe that Jesus offers us peace if we can accept Him at the end of life. Remember, I do not agree with every thought that is shared, but in this moment I feel led to share it.

Faith on the Zipline

by   August 3, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

Was I ready for this moment? A 19-year-old was strapping in my 7-year-old for his first zipline experience. How watchful would you have been in a moment like that? Maybe you have been in a moment like that. Normally, I would have been extremely cautious and questioning. 

This wasn’t just any older teen, though; this was my firstborn preparing and checking his littlest brother. There is a 13-year difference in their ages. My oldest has been interning at Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters (SWO), a Christian retreat and camp center in Andrews, NC, for the last year. He has been well-trained to work various outdoor recreation activities, but this summer, the zipline is his expertise. Watching him work in his element put my parenting into perspective. 

Like any cautious mother, I watched closely to see if my baby boy was being properly harnessed. But, I was able to put those cautions aside because I knew the one in whom we were entrusting care – a brother who cared and loved and would protect his baby brother better than anyone else. After being double-checked by another activity assistant, my 7-year-old made his way up the trail to the high tree for his adrenaline-filled rush. And what a rush! His squeal of terror turned to delight as much of the camp could hear him. “Must be Chase’s brother,” I heard other recreation leaders remark. Yes, for big brother also vocalizes excitement with explosions of yells and yawps. 

My husband and I have also watched our oldest learn to exercise what he has learned in other ways. No longer under the shelter and care of his home and family, he has to work out his own salvation and faith journey. His father and I, along with other spiritual influences, did our best to spread a buffet, equipping him for walking by faith. The last year has provided many opportunities for him to make his faith his own, drawing him to seek answers in the Bible and to ask questions of those who have a heart leaning into the Savior and Creator. In turn, he has been able to share his personal struggles, his knowledge of God’s Word, and the encouragement and comfort God has given him with other interns and campers alike. 

I can still remember my oldest needing me to help make sure he was safe and being smart as he dared to attempt his own adrenaline rush activities. Now, he is doing much of the same for others – his little brother, yes, but also to those he interacts with from week to week. I may not have been ready for this, but he was, and God has met him there. Much of Christian parenting is learning to let go of that harness and believing that God is faithful to be the Father and the Holy Spirit in their lives. But if God has truly begun a good work in them, we know He will complete it (see Philippians 1:6). 

Ashlie Miller and her husband raise their children in Concord, NC. She will be saving this piece to reread and remind herself of these truths later.

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