10 lists of 10 things…

by   January 3, 2020 with No Comments

At USA TODAY, lists are a way we report the news clearly and concisely, giving readers the story while cutting through the noise of the moment. To cap off the decade, here are 10 lists of 10 things that show how our country evolved over the 10 years of the 2010s. …From USA Today

A Brand New Decade

by   December 28, 2019 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            We only have a few more days left in this year and this decade. It is hard to believe that we are going to be in the 2020’s next week. It’s always hard for me to believe that a whole year has passed. Time seems to move faster and faster as I get older.

            My previous pastor always receives a poem from the Lord for the year. My current pastor always receives a single word that is our focus for the year. 2019 was “uncommon.” Well, I can tell you that 2019 was definitely an uncommon year for us. I retired, which was a very uncommon event. But the year was full of uncommon things. Some we hope continue to be uncommon, while others we invite and hope to make common in our lives.

            We are looking forward to 2020. I know the Lord has good things planned. One thing I am NOT looking forward to is the election. The event itself, voting, is great. My problem is the process we have to go through from here to there. There are all the political ads. Then there are the constant phone calls. If we could get more civility in our politics it might be more enjoyable, but that isn’t how elections are won or lost.

            As I reflect back on the last decade, we have experienced lots of changes, especially in technology. We went from flip phones to smart phones. Who could have imagined having the power of all that information right at your fingertips? We now have smart doorbells so we can see who is at the door and we may not even be home. My mother used to have intercoms at our doors. Times sure have changed.

            You can control so much now from your phone. You can turn your thermostat up or down. You can turn lights on and off. You can probably talk to your watch which will talk to your phone which will contact your house and make necessary changes. I imagine by the time we close out this new decade we will have cars driving themselves and many people will probably not even own cars, they will just call for a driverless car to take them where they want to go. I am not sure I am ready for that.

            Wherever technology takes us in the future, I am sure we will gradually all get used to doing things the new way. It might be nice to allow a vehicle to drive me someplace while I sleep, particularly if there is a zero percent chance of an accident. Personally, I prefer to put my life in God’s hands. He has a perfect record for helping people navigate life.

            The future can feel mystical and scary at times. No one knows what the future holds for each of us. The only way to know the future is to know Him who holds the future. He’s seen all the good things coming your way and He is not surprised when the bad things happen. He is ready to celebrate the good and comfort through the bad. The best thing is knowing we are in God’s hands when we enter the New Year.

            The secret to having peace when entering the New Year and new decade is knowing the Prince of Peace. He can help guard your mind from worry and fear as you cross into the unknown. You can know and believe that all things will work into something good for your life as long as you are trusting Him. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be sorrow or pain, it just means that He will be with you and that He can turn your sorrow into joy.

            There are parts of 2019 that I would prefer to forget, but God has used those situations to draw me closer. He felt more real to me as I walked through the fire. That gives me confidence. If He did it in 2019, then I know He will do it again in 2020.

            I want to encourage you to put your trust in God. 2020 is going to have some great days that we can celebrate. 2020 is also going to have some difficult days where it will be a struggle just to put one foot in front of the other. No matter what comes, I have faith in God that it will work for my good. We are entering a new decade and I believe that God is going to give us a good trip through this one, too. Happy New Year!

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

Denigrated by tradition

by   December 27, 2019 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

The phrase “Doubting Thomas” is an all-too familiar one used to describe one of The Twelve. It has even evolved to describe a person who is skeptical concerning a fact, a negative comment against one’s judgement or belief.

But this is where I think Biblical tradition has maligned the Disciple Thomas. After all, in John 11:16, he is the Disciple who says to the other Disciples when Jesus is preparing to go to Bethany because of Lazarus’ death, “Let us also go, that we may die with him[Jesus].” Lazarus lived in Bethany and it was a dangerous place for Jesus. However, in this scene set by John, we see the courage of Thomas, The Twin. There is affirmation in his words, but through mis-teaching and tradition, Thomas is too often remembered as a doubter.

Through tradition, we have come to teach that there were three wise men who visited the newborn Jesus, because three gifts are mentioned. Tradition teaches that Jesus was a carpenter, but he was the equivalent of a modern-day handyman working with wood and stone, a more plentiful source for building in first century Israel. Every image of the Last Supper is based on a late 15th century mural by Da Vinci, which is Biblically wrong. And one more example of tradition taking over fact is the symbol for Christianity — the cross. What we show and wear is not historically accurate, but we teach it still.

However, in my recent readings of Genesis, I have been struck by how we have treated Esau. Yes, he traded his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup. (By the way, why was his brother cooking, a woman’s job in that society?) And he was cheated by his mother and twin brother. Yep, to spite his parents, he married two heathen women. Then his brother the sneak leaves to escape his rage.

Gone for 20 years, Jacob returns with his wealth. Frightened still of Esau, he sends his concubines and children out first, then Leah and her children, then Rachel (his favorite) with her children. A nice pecking order in case Esau had plans for vengeance. But, accompanied by 400 of his best fighters, according to Genesis 33: 4, “Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.”

I see no revenge here, but Dr. J. Vernon J. McGee writes that Esau possibly tried to bite the neck of his brother, thus killing him. But during the exchanges between the brothers, Esau refers to Jacob as “my brother” while Jacob uses the distant “My lord.” When Jacob offers gifts to Esau, the red warrior says in Genesis 33:9, “I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.”
I am aware of the oft-quoted verses from Malachi that Esau is the patriarch of Edom, the nation that helped the Babylonians destroy Jerusalem. But what we know of Esau from the Bible, besides the sad tale of twin brothers in Genesis, is that he helped Jacob bury their father. What else we know is from non-Biblical sources. So why the vilification?

Tradition. And that is dangerous. While working in a school outside New Orleans, I was often told, in explaining why some action was followed, “It’s our tradition, Mr. Barbee.” The chaplain would say in an aside to me, “Tradition or unexamined habit?”

I think we have too many unexamined habits of belief in our Christianity and we should follow the Bible and use what it gives us, along with accurate histories. If we follow a tradition, we begin to believe it, then we teach it as gospel. Then, when the ones we have wrongly taught learn the truth, they may see us as liars or worse. Teach truth.

Roger Barbee lives in Mooresville. Contact him at rogerbarbee@gmail.com

Along the Road

by   December 22, 2019 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

His struggle with addiction was real. The pain associated with his life choices were pounding and reverberating in his heart that day as he sat by the side of the road. He felt he had one thing to live for – his baby girl who was about to celebrate her 2nd birthday. He loved her fiercely – as well as he knew how – during the throes of his addiction.

He was grateful for the maternal grandparents who were raising her, though his guilt sometimes overwhelmed. He wanted to be with her as often as he was able – but he especially wanted to be in her presence personally presenting her a present on her birthday.

He had gotten a ride to a shopping district in a nearby town – about thirty minutes from home. He hoped to use the few dollars he had saved to buy the perfect gift. Quickly, he realized the paltry amount he had in his pocket would purchase almost nothing.

He had given up, sat down on the curb, and was waiting for his ride home. It never came. He lowered his head and covered his face, as he realized it was another day of defeat. His tears began to flow.

Cars passed. People walked by. He paid no attention. Another car came by, pulled over to the curb, and a man called out, “You need help?” Seconds later, he was in the car of a stranger who insisted on driving him home, and who was listening intently as he shared his story: His struggles. His failure to raise his child. His appreciation for the grandparents who were. The birthday plans. The birthday present he had hoped to give.

A few minutes later, he was dropped off where he was staying at that time, but not before the stranger talked with him about putting his trust in the Lord, and asking for the phone number of the grandparents who were raising his little girl. As he got out of the car, he was handed $500 to buy that special gift – and to encourage him that God – and people – care.

The story did not end there.

The next day, a phone call of encouragement came to the grandparents.

The following day, they received a $500 check.

Some may call this a nice story.

Some may call it a streak of luck.

I call it an angel.

An angel sent to encourage an addict who needed to see God.

An angel sent to encourage a small child who deserved great love.

An angel sent to encourage grandparents who were raising their grandchild.

These words from the song, Angels Among Us, seem fitting:

I believe there are angels among us

Sent down to us from somewhere up above

They come to you and me in our darkest hour

To show us how to live, to teach us how to give

To guide us with the light of love.

That ‘light of love’ is exactly what was put in my heart as I experienced this angel at work – for the family this angel had reached out to was part of my family.

Angels at work.

Be the angel.

See the angel.

It may not show up in $500 increments.

It may be even greater!

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

Merry Christmas

by   December 21, 2019 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            Most of you know that I am retired. I figured that since I was retired, Christmas decorating and preparations would go exceedingly smoothly this year. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I think I have been busier this year than in previous years. I look at my calendar and I have something to do or someplace to be every day this week, and that was the same for last week.

            I thought we would have our tree up early and be able to leisurely enjoy the process. I think we got a later start this year, and it isn’t quite finished yet! Even the outside decorating took longer because I had to get up the leaves and clean out the gutters. One good thing is that we have our shopping done already. We have become online shoppers. We did go to a few stores, but it is so much easier to shop online.

            With a few more days to go, I believe we will make it. We do have Jesus, Mary, and Joseph sitting out, but I need to get the snowmen that are sitting on the same table moved to a different place. There is some cleaning and straightening that needs to be done. I am also hoping to get the Christmas cards out today. And oh, it’s going to be nice day today, maybe I can get a few things done outside…. No wonder I had trouble getting to sleep last night, with my thoughts running so fast.

            We have been doing some of the traditional things to ready our hearts for Christmas. We pulled out our Christmas movies and have been watching them. I haven’t been playing Christmas music as much as I thought, but that will change; I am ready to sing along with all my favorites. I have been out a few evenings recently and have really enjoyed seeing some of the Christmas lights.

Honestly, I know things will get done and we will have a nice Christmas. There are a few gatherings to attend, and I am looking forward to our candlelight service at church. This morning I started a devotional book from my sister about Christmas, that I read every year. It tells the story mixed with poems and many of the great Christmas carols. It takes a week, but it helps to get my heart ready and my thoughts focused on the birth of our Savior.  

            Last week I was invited to speak to a book club that meets near Albemarle. We had a good group of folks and a very special time together. I really enjoyed seeing some old friends. I shared a story about how valuable we are in God’s eyes. We often think less of ourselves, but God thinks very highly of us.

            I shared with those gathered that it is hard to consider the birth of our Lord without realizing the purpose for His coming. He came to die for us. Sin had broken our relationship with God. There nothing we can do to fix it. We can’t do enough good deeds. We can’t earn God’s favor by trying to live right. The only way to restore our relationship with God is through the forgiveness that Jesus offers us at Easter. God thinks we are so valuable that He sacrificed His own Son so He could buy us back and re-establish the relationship He desired for us.

            God loves you more than you will ever understand. His gift of forgiveness is available to all who will receive it. Do you realize that the God of the whole universe wants to know you on a personal and intimate level? He wants to reveal Himself to you. Jesus came to make all that possible. He came, born in a manger, giving up all the comfort of heaven, to be with us. Jesus wanted to reveal the depth of God’s love, forgiveness, grace, mercy, and peace.

            All of this is available to you if you will open your heart to God. God’s done His part, now it’s time for us to do ours. I want to encourage you to not only receive, but also to open and experience God’s love this Christmas. He comes humbly as a baby born in a manger so we all can find access to Him. He is gentle and loving and cares deeply about everything in your life. Give God the best Christmas present He could ever receive…your heart, your life, given to Him. Merry Christmas! May God fill your heart and your home with His perfect love, His peace that goes beyond understanding, and His uncontainable joy!

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

1 … 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 … 249