Feeling Refreshed – By Doug Creamer

            It was wonderful to get a break in the summer heat last week. The Canadian front pushed the heat and humidity south and we had a wonderful week to be outside. I was outside almost the entire week. Although I was pulling weeds, I can’t deny that I loved being out there. I have noticed that the heat and humidity have returned, and I will retreat to the cool of our home. It’s August in the Carolinas; heat and humidity are here to stay.

            I was outside working in both the vegetable and flower gardens. I made it out early some mornings and stayed out late into the evenings. When the air felt so refreshing, I didn’t want to come in. I am blessed in my yard to have the woods on the west side. By late afternoon, we have shade across most of our yard.

            It’s been hot since school let out. I haven’t had any desire to work in the yard…that is, until last week. When I got out there I knew I was going to have to do the one thing I really don’t like doing…pull the weeds. The air felt so fresh and clean, I didn’t care. We pulled so many wheelbarrows full of weeds out that I lost count. As we cleared an area, I got some mulch and put it down. Some parts of our yard are looking quite good.

            Don’t misunderstand; there is still plenty that needs to be done. Good gardeners are never finished. There are plants that need to be moved, removed, planted, pruned, etc. There are always plans and dreams of how you want things to look. We have lived here long enough that we have started to rip out things we planted. A gardener’s work is truly never complete.

            You might think I was tired after working outside all week. Well, I have to admit that there are a few muscles, especially in my arms and back, that are complaining, but I am feeling surprisingly refreshed. I think getting a break from the heat and humidity has actually helped me feel better. I also get a certain joy out of being outside working in my yard.

            Life has a way of wearing us down. It is important that we discover ways that we can be refreshed. I know we can be refreshed when we go on vacation, but the reality is we have to work to pay the bills and keep the lights on. How can we be refreshed when life seems to go at breakneck speeds? We all have so many demands on our time. What can we do within our daily routines?

            First, it’s important to discover for yourself what makes you feel refreshed. For my little sister, it’s going for a run. She feels better after she exercises.  Some people need to soak in a tub. Others might like to escape into a good book. Still others might curl up and take a nice nap.  Knowing ourselves is a key to refreshment.

            Second, I believe music has a way of touching our souls. I know the music of our youth has the power to awaken something special in each of us. But the kind of music I am talking about here is the kind that lifts up the Lord. Again, there is such a wide variety of music styles that honors and lifts up the Lord. If old hymns stir your soul, go for it. There is so much new and various styles of worship music out there; find yours and run with it.

            Why does this work? When we lift up the Lord, He is drawn to us. When we are in His presence, we are going to be refreshed. No matter how tired and weary we might feel; one touch from God can completely restore us. When our spirit connects with His Spirit, we will be changed, renewed, refreshed, and restored. Music has the power to move us if we will open our hearts to Him.

            I want to encourage you to seek the Lord for a refreshing touch this week. I believe that God wants to draw closer to you and renew you. I know life is busy and hard, but taking a few moments to do the thing that helps you feel refreshed is important for your wellbeing. Add to that music that honors and lifts up the name of Jesus and you will be refreshed. God wants to be closer to you. When you open your heart in worship to Him, you will sense His presence in a beautiful and wonderful way.

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

Getting a Harvest – By Doug Creamer

            How are your weeds growing…I mean, how is your garden doing? My garden is doing better this year than last. We are getting a harvest and enjoying it. We have gotten some tomatoes, unlike last year when we only got a few. The squash is doing well. We have also enjoyed the blueberries and raspberries this year.

            Early in the season, I was working hard to try and keep the weeds down. Things were coming along well and then we hit the hot spell, and I don’t like being out in high heat and humidity. Then being away at the beach gave the weeds an extra boost. So overall, we have a healthy crop of weeds this year. Too bad there isn’t such a thing as weed soup.

            I’ve also been fighting the deer again. They really like my string beans, but they will eat the butterbeans, too. I have replanted several times this year. My mom gave me a plastic fence that I put around them and I think we might get some beans after all.

            We’ve also been fighting some yellow bug which is eating the squash leaves, and we’re fighting diseases, as well. The cucumbers have been producing nicely, but something has gotten a hold of them and the vines are dying. The tomatoes have gotten some yellow leaves, and that has hurt us, too.

            The weather forecast is calling for a cooler week. It’s supposed to rain on Tuesday for most of the day, but then give us some nice weather for the end of the week. I hope that is right so I can get out there and work on the weeds, and maybe dig my potatoes. The potatoes have lived much longer than usual, which I hope implies a big harvest. I know there is plenty more heat and humidity to come, but a nice break would be great to catch up out in the garden.

            I am eagerly awaiting the c-o-r-n; I don’t want to say the word lest the deer and raccoons hear me and plan a party out back. The rain this week might be perfectly timed to give me some big full ears of c-o-r-n. I am hoping to enjoy that in the next couple of weeks.

            If you want to grow a good garden, flowers or vegetables, it takes time and effort. The same thing applies to our spiritual lives. No one becomes a strong Christian in a few days. It takes time to break up the crusty soil of our lives. There needs to be a good place for the Word of God to take root in us.

            That means that we have to pick up the Word of God and read it so it will fertilize the new growth in our lives. Naturally, prayer will water our new garden so the seeds will have the best chance to grow. We can’t grow in God if we never talk with Him. We have to spend some time with the Son.

            We begin our spiritual lives with faith, then we add the Word of God and prayer, but we can’t stop there. We have to add goodness. Being good is a choice; it’s like the food we eat. There are so many things to eat; some are good for our bodies, while others can harm us. God wants us to choose goodness. That implies that we have to exercise some self-control. It is extremely hard to have self-control during the holiday season when there is so much delicious food around. God expects us to work on self-control through our temptations.

            It seems that once we start to make the right choices, trials come our way. We have to persevere through those tough times. God is with us. If we take on His character, we will make it through. One thing that can help is being in fellowship with other believers. Your brothers and sisters can help you when times are tough, and you can help them, too. Sometimes the simplest gestures on our part can show the love and kindness of God.

            I want to encourage you to let your roots grow deep in the soil of God’s love. When you allow your roots to draw in the Spirit of God, you will grow strong and produce a heavenly crop. We can’t do it alone. We need each other, God’s Word, and the desire to work in the soil of our lives, so we can produce a harvest for God. No one is perfect, we all have weeds in our lives, but that shouldn’t keep us from being fruitful for God.

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