Steve Hartman tells the story of a doctor who did something unique after surgery… But wait! There is MORE! You have to watch to the very end and see what else she did… you won’t believe it. ENJOY!!!!!
Max Lucado explores what to do when you are struggling with the fear of the unknown. Listen and learn!
By Ashlie Miller
It’s a common mistake, one you have likely experienced yourself: accidentally leaving an item you purchased at the checkout or in the buggy at the store. Usually, you can retrieve it without issue, and a sympathetic employee assures you that it happens often. Imagine my surprise recently at one of those not-really-a-dollar stores when I was met with a third degree and doubt about my story over a $1.50 item that had been left behind. Thankfully, the manager remedied the situation. Even though I was not to blame and my reputation matters little at a store where customers are no longer remembered by name, it still bothered me for several hours that my words were not believed. It reminded me of an episode that occurred several years ago.
As a young adult, I was once falsely accused and chased down with accusations. (Trust me, it sounds more dramatic than it was.) One evening, I went to visit a slightly older friend with young children, who would often let me hang out and either help with the kids or chat with her. I thrived in a setting that also gave me some mentoring. I offered to pick up anything she needed on my way. Young moms often find that a blessing! My friend lived in Rockwell on a stretch of road with nothing more than a one-stop gas station. She needed bread, likely for some essential PB&Js for the boys. I may not have had much as a college student, but picking up gas station bread, I could do. I went in, picked up a loaf, and made my way past a couple of old-timers talking about the weather before paying the cashier. I departed a couple of miles down the road to my friend’s, blissfully unaware that I was being hunted like a felon.
As I pulled in, I heard a rumble on the gravel road as a woman yelled, “Did you forget something?” I recognized her as the clerk behind the counter. I held up my bread, wondering, “Is she making sure I got my bread with a tone that doesn’t match her concern?” I was bewildered. “The gas you forgot to pay for!” she retorted. I tilted my head quizzically. “But I didn’t even pull up to a pump? I came for bread.” Among the commotion, my friend hastened outside to defend my character. However, the woman assured me that a couple of witnesses (those old-timers) saw me pull off with the gas. I asked her how much I was accused of stealing. I wasn’t quite ready to show her my hand – a newer compact car with a gas gauge indicating less than a quarter-tank. These were the days when gas may have been cheap, but working college students could live off a quarter tank until absolutely necessary to fill up. She said it was a full tank’s worth, but when I offered to let her see my gas gauge, she declined and, without so much as an apology for the chase and false accusation, sped off.
To say my adrenaline was lit is an understatement. Do I call the police for that? Surely not. Do I need to clear my reputation at a place where I did nothing wrong and didn’t usually frequent for gas anyway? Ah, the truth revealed, and the slice of humble pie for the employee would have to be enough. Even though it was inconsequential, it still felt pretty horrible! Why do false accusations, even over small things, bother us so badly? Could it be that deep down we were designed to long for truth and justice?
I am grateful, though, for experiences like those that have helped me pray for others and think about judging those in much more dire situations. I can slowly and deliberately consider: Was I there? Even if I was, could I have been distracted and not truly present? Is the information factual or colored with emotions and clickbait? Was I having a bad day when I thought I witnessed something? Were they? Am I quick to lean into gossip cloaked in a “this just in” post?
Lord, help me to slow my roll, my scroll, and my hasty judgments! Help me to remember truth wrapped in mercy and grace!
By Doug Creamer
I Love…
I love my church. We have a great family atmosphere at my church. People check on each other and are there for each other, just like family. We have lots of ways to connect and get involved. The worship is sweet on Sunday morning and the messages challenge us to grow and mature in our Christian walk. Our pastor has a real shepherd’s heart for the people.
I love my Father in heaven. He cares for me and watches over me. He provides for all my needs. He has great plans for my future…things that I can’t even imagine. He thinks about me. He wants to spend time with me. God not only loves me but He likes me, too! He is a good, good Father.
We all know that God protects us in many ways. Many times, His protection is unseen, but sometimes His protection can be seen right before our eyes. Take last Friday evening when I was out cutting the grass. It was a warm evening with little if any breeze. I was cutting along and enjoying the shade of the trees. I have a self-propelled walk behind lawn mower. I was at the end of the row getting ready to turn around and walk back. For some reason, I let go of the lawn mower and stepped back. When I did, several large limbs fell on the lawn mower and the place where I should have been standing. I exclaimed in shock at the sight of the limbs. Then I yelled out, “Thank you, Jesus, for protecting me!” My neighbor heard both the loud crash and my yelling and came running to see if I was all right. We stood there and looked at the mess for a moment. Then my neighbor and I hauled the limbs off into the woods and I returned to mowing the yard, very thankful that I wasn’t heading for the emergency room.
I know many of you, if not all of you, have similar stories where God protected you from some type of harm. I know of numerous examples where He protected me in my car from all kinds of accidents. There have been plenty of incidences around the house where I know He or an angel stepped in to keep me safe. I don’t know how you would react, but I worshipped with a little extra gratefulness on Sunday. I am thankful that He keeps a close eye on me.
I believe God helps us in more ways than we can imagine. I remember once my allergies had gone absolutely crazy. I normally tough it out with allergies but that time must have been really bad because I went to the doctor. I saw a random doctor at my practice that day who helped me develop a plan to deal with my seasonal allergies and helped to diagnose an allergic asthma. Between my regular doctor and this other doctor, I have been able to navigate seasonal allergies better for a number of years.
I deeply believe that prayer makes a big difference for anything we are facing. Prayer can provide guidance, wisdom, and the peace we need to make it through whatever challenge lies before us. Since challenges contain many unknowns, seeking God’s divine help and wisdom can alter the outcome of the situations we find ourselves facing.
I know of two individuals who recently faced long, serious surgeries. Both were bathed in prayer from family, friends, and neighbors. Both came through their surgeries with great success. God is good and I believe prayer makes a huge difference.
I love Jesus not just because He paid for all my sins and set me free. I love Jesus because He is my friend. He knows me better than I know myself and He always wants what is best for me. He walks with me through every circumstance and guides me in my daily life. His presence gives me hope and peace. He never gives up on me.
I want to encourage you to put your faith and hope in Jesus and our Heavenly Father. They love you more than you can believe. Jesus gave His life for you! There isn’t a higher price He could pay. They care about you and have made great plans for your future. The old hymn tells us, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” You can trust Him to walk with you through whatever life throws at you because He promises to never leave you or forsake you. Invite Him into your heart and let Him lead you into the good things He has planned for you.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
Priscilla Shiver reminds you that you are never too far gone for God. He will ALWAYS rescue you when you call out to Him. Be blessed!
By Ed Traut
Dear Doug,
Romans 4:20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
Prayer: Lord help me to be strengthened in my faith and to glorify You continually and to never look at the circumstances or let them determine where my faith stands, but rather by Your word. I praise You for Your faithfulness. I love You Lord. Amen.
Ed Traut
Prophetic Life
By David Freeze
Try New Things for Summer’s Challenges
Last Friday, I brought my granddaughter home from a week’s summer camp at BrickEd Academy. She had a great time and graduated a “secret agent.” We had a planned stop at Food Lion, and the subject of peanut butter came up. Booper said, “I don’t like peanut butter, and you can’t make me eat it.” When we stopped at Food Lion, I had two goals in mind. One was to get a box of Little Debbie cookies filled with peanut butter.
The other was to get a quart of Tillamook ice cream. On my very first cross-country bike ride in 2013, I rode through Tillamook, Oregon and stopped for some of the famous ice cream. I loved the ice cream then and had a current savings coupon, so the Booper and I had a conversation on which flavor to get. I overrode her top choices, and we purchased Strawberries and Cream. The Booper moaned, not happy.
On the ride home, she devoured the peanut butter cookie and loved it. Clarification from her included, “I meant I don’t like it on bread.” I laughed. After her short nap, she also devoured a bowl of Tillamook ice cream and tolerated my story of pedaling right to the company location, 3,000 miles from home.
Over the last few weeks, she ate an egg sandwich with tomato and onion, two more things she vowed never to eat. Another previously feared item was deviled eggs, once ranked high on her “will not eat” list. That item was conquered last week. Booper loved all these things once she tried them. My granddaughter is a very lively six years old and not as committed to her “dislike” list as she once was.
As we head into summer, nearly everyone struggles with exercise commitment during a time that many outdoor exercisers dislike. Consider some new things just like the Booper did. We got a dose of humidity last week along with a few hot days. Early morning humidities make running tough, and hot days do too. How can we keep some level of fitness on the tough days and the long haul of summer? Here is a simple solution that works for me. I keep a second watch, mostly just good for time, pace and distance. Some days are just better for walking, or if your run wasn’t the best, consider adding a mile or more of walking. Keep track of your miles, note them on a calendar on the wall and use it all to motivate your summer fitness journey. Walking miles count one for one with running miles, and we can add our swimming and cycling miles too. One mile of swimming is worth three of running or walking, and three miles of cycling also count for a mile of walking and running.
Speaking of watches, Skinny Wheels Pedals and Pints Bike Shop now is our local Garmin watch dealer. Garmin is generally rated the premier running watch and also the most accurate. Owner Porter Baker is well-schooled on watches and bicycle computers from Garmin and can recommend a good match for your fitness goals.
Another new item just on the market may gain a foothold. The RunSafePRO lightweight safety vest has a smart component. Their data suggests that 67% of runners and walkers are concerned with their safety while on or near the roads. 20% of motor vehicle-related accidents have to do with runner/walker visibility. These vests scan for approaching traffic and can also send a GPS alert in event of an accident. Should the wearer unexpectedly stop moving, the vest checks in and if no response, the vest then sends an alert and location to your primary contacts while sounding an audible alarm. Front and back lights adjust to your environment. Current cost is $119 per vest and look great for cyclists too.
Our next race is in Faith on Saturday, June 27th. The Shiloh Run for Missions 5K and Fun Run is a popular summer event which is highlighted by great door prizes, good competition and a challenging course that area runners love. Look for this race and others upcoming at www.salisburyrowanrunner.org
By Lynna Clark
We filled a row of rockers on the huge porch. For over twenty years while mama was alive we rented a place at the beach for the extended family. I’m sure locals scattered to the four winds the first week in June each summer just to avoid our chaos.
Thanks to mama it was an organized chaos. Each family was responsible for certain things on the master list she kept year after year. Seldom did we have to make a grocery run while vacationing. Ice cream sundae night was the one exception. We looked forward to it all week. Mama taught us the value of organizing our chaos. Daddy however, has wisdom of a different sort.
One night while rocking and sipping coffee on the aforementioned porch, he noticed his rocker was not performing to his satisfaction. Being a man who repairs everything the moment there’s a need, he commented with disdain. “For want of a nail, the house was lost.”
Handing me his coffee, he fetched his tool box and fixed the rocker. “Anybody else settin’ in a wobbly rocker?” he asked while walking down the line of chairs. I know what you’re thinking. What kind of person takes a tool box on vacation? The same kind that packs his weed-eater so he can clear the public walkway. Yep. That’s my dad.
Sure I’m a little partial. But I declare, I think my daddy can fix just about anything. I may have told you this before. But he built and hung the rafters over his lake deck so he could turn it into a screened in porch. I asked him who helped get those heavy things hoisted.
“I built a jig,” he answered like it was nothing. For those of you who still have no idea how he did it, don’t confuse jig with a little dance one does to express joy. No, daddy’s jig was a homemade tool he built to prop one end of a rafter while he climbed a ladder and hung the other end. I wasn’t there so I can’t imagine it either. It’s just another one of those things daddy knows how to do. The old adage “Necessity is the mother of invention,” is very true. The problem is that there’s not a lot of necessity in our culture anymore. My daddy has lived that particular kind of wisdom all his life. When you don’t have exactly what you need, you make do with what you have. Wise indeed.
I heard that during the early years of space exploration the American government spent millions trying to figure out how to make an ink pen write where there was no gravity. Our solution to every problem is to pour money on it. The Russians beat us at that game. They just used a pencil. Though daddy’s no Russian, that’s his kind of common sense. Even now I can still hear his reprimand when I did something less than brilliant.
“Ain’t ya got no common?”
Sometimes I worry that I’ve missed out on that old fashioned practical kind of wisdom. My phone has a calculator so my memory of the multiplication tables is fading fast. It also has folks’ names so I don’t have to memorize anyone’s phone number. BUT! I can still count out change when paying with real money. On days when I’m feeling especially mischievous, I hand the baby-faced cashier a twenty dollar bill plus whatever change it takes to pay so she can hand me back an even ten. Watching her eyes glaze over is weirdly satisfying. However, I try not to gloat too much as I will surely be asking someone her age for technology advice before the day is over. Too bad there’s not a jig for that. I could call my daddy.
Daddy’s Festive Jig