Doug’s Columns

By Doug Creamer

Growing Thoughts

            It has been a hectic and challenging start to the gardening season. The challenge has been trying to find some dry days to plant the garden. It seems when I have time, it rains. When I am busy with other things, we will have warm and sunny days. I got home today just hoping to get a few more things planted in the garden. There was some rain on the way and I wanted to beat it.

            Things were going along well when one of those pre-thunderstorm gusts blew in. I hoped and prayed for a little favor. I moved quickly. A few drops fell, but it subsided and I kept working. As I finished all I wanted to get done I looked up and saw the rain coming. I quickly gathered my things, and a few steps before I made it to the garage the rain started. I laughed even though I was a little wet and then looked up and said, “Thank you, Lord.”

            While I was working quickly to get everything done I noticed how peaceful it was out in the garden. My mind relished the peacefulness. I had a busy week last week…too busy! Weeks like that are not good for my mind and my thoughts. I catch myself thinking about things that don’t deserve the time of day. I also find myself unable or maybe unwilling to resist thoughts that I should avoid. So the peacefulness I find from being outside brings great comfort.

            Sometimes when I get to the end of one of those weeks I find my thoughts are jumbled. We have to remember that there are three sources for our thoughts. First, we create many of our own thoughts. We are working things out. We allow anxious thoughts or worry to roam freely and unchecked. The second place our thoughts come from is the enemy. He will give us lies about ourselves or sinful thoughts. Here is where we have to choose to entertain those thoughts of to take them captive.

            The final source of our thoughts is from God. These are obviously good thoughts and ones we should meditate upon. The trouble is that the noise of the world, the worries and cares of this life, our own thoughts, and the thoughts of the enemy are all in competition with the thoughts God is offering us. We are called to choose. The Bible teaches us in second Timothy that God gives us a spirit of power, love, and self-control. We have to take responsibility for our thoughts and to squelch the ones that don’t belong.

            It’s not an easy thing to do. The reality is that it’s challenging to take responsibility for our thoughts. When we are busy at our jobs or engaged in some activities that require our focus our thoughts work for us. It’s during those down times that our minds are free to ponder. Sometimes we are tired or maybe overwhelmed by life and it’s hard to muster the effort to control our thoughts.

            Last week when I arrived in church I felt like I had lost the battle in my mind. The week had been busy, but it had been good except for the battlefield of my mind. I felt God’s gentle reminder over the weekend that He gave me a spirit of self-control through reading second Timothy. I felt like I let God down.

            We sang a song during worship that encouraged us to lean back into God’s loving arms. I imagined Jesus sitting under a tree on a warm, sunny day. Then I imagined that I was leaning back into His loving arms. I let Him hold me. I told Him that I was sorry I had failed. I let His love and mercy wash over me. It was beautiful. His peace enveloped me. My body, mind, and spirit were captured by this incredible peace that I cannot explain and did not feel like I deserved.

            I want to encourage you to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and lean back into the loving arms of Jesus. Release your burdens. Give Him your cares. Surrender all the negative thoughts. Give Him your worries and anxieties. Now receive from Him the gifts of mercy, forgiveness, and His perfect peace. Receiving them means you have to open them and let them wash over you like a wave at the beach. He loves you! He sees you as beautiful! You are His brother or sister. You are family. He wants you to walk in His love, joy, and peace. Now, aren’t those much better thoughts? Let those thoughts grow! 

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

By Doug Creamer

            We have two church members who changed their membership from earth to heaven this week. I cannot imagine what their spouses are going through, losing the love of their lives. It has been a long week for our church family. How do you bring comfort to someone who is grieving the loss of someone so dear to them?

            There are two general ways to show compassion for the grieving. The first is simply being sympathetic and understanding their grief. We know it takes time and space to work through the grieving process. It is very important to pray for those going through grief and other difficulties. 

            The second way to show compassion for the grieving is by doing something for them. Many people attend the funeral, which lets the family know that they are not alone in their grief. Sometimes just sitting with the family, your presence, can bring comfort and healing. Sometimes people make meals and send them over to the family. Others find practical ways they can help the family by doing favors or running errands. There is nothing too little for a family in grief.

            Compassion is a necessary ingredient in all our lives, not just when someone is grieving. We all struggle with sin and failure. We make mistakes and we fall down. Compassion means that we find a way to lift each other up. When I fall down, I need compassion and a helping hand. Compassion never leaves a person in a fallen or broken state. It always lifts, encourages, and helps to restore the individual. And we do it with dignity.

            An important part of compassion is apologizing when we do something wrong. A good apology consists of three things: Admitting your wrongdoing, taking responsibility for your behavior, and then finding out how to make things right again. When someone comes to me and apologizes for something they did that was wrong, I always try to say that I accept their apology. I know how hard it is to swallow my pride when I need to apologize, and appreciate when others extend grace to me. I want to do the same for others.

            The surprising thing I learned about compassion this week is celebrating other people’s successes or good fortune is a part of compassion. When someone gets a promotion or a new car or a new house it is important to celebrate with them. Compassion causes your joy to overflow for them and the goodness of God they are experiencing. Showing genuine excitement when others succeed is another form of compassion.

            I have learned something late in life that I wish I knew when I was younger. Many people rarely hear their parents or bosses say that they are proud of their work or accomplishments. Words of praise can be a powerful motivator. We all want to be noticed for our achievements and accomplishments. Taking time to notice and expressing your pride in others can motivate them to achieve greater things. I have witnessed first-hand the power of positive reinforcement with my students.

            Jesus offered compassion to many people when He was here on earth. Every time He healed someone, compassion for their situation moved Him to action. Jesus focused primarily on the Israelites but was moved by compassion for the woman at the well, who was a Samaritan. Jews hated the Samaritans but Jesus demonstrated the Father’s heart of love and compassion for her. She in turn spread the news about Jesus, and He stayed in Samaria for several days ministering to and healing many of the people.

            Compassion drives God’s heart for each one of us. He cares deeply when you are hurting, whether it is physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual pain. He wants to bring healing to your life. He knows about your situation and wants to help you find restoration and hope again. You haven’t gone too far. No one is beyond God’s reach if you will only turn around and open your heart to His love. He understands your situation and has compassion for you. Accept His love. Receive His forgiveness. Allow His healing power to set you free.

            I want to encourage you to allow God’s compassionate heart to touch yours. You have to open the door for Him. He will not open your door and force His way in. He awaits your invitation…He is knocking on the door of your heart. His unconditional love and acceptance are on the other side of that door. It’s up to you. I pray that you will make room for Jesus in your heart.

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

By Doug Creamer

            I recently had the opportunity to help my mother get her garden planted. At her age she has a hard time getting back up once she is kneeling. My brother took her shopping for “a few” vegetables. She wasn’t planning to do much this year. I lost count of how many tomato plants I put out. She also has peppers, squash, and cucumbers. She loves to grow things.

            I had a great feeling inside while driving home that evening. The closer I got to home the more this little thought started to whirl around in my mind. “Well, your Mom has her garden in and you don’t have anything in the ground yet.” The thought was spoiling my good feeling.

            I had a long list of things that needed my attention on Friday, and none of them was my garden. Saturday I was determined to make it to the garden center to find the seeds and plants I need to get my garden going. I went to my two favorite garden centers and found most of what I need for this growing season.

            I went out to the garden pretty late in the afternoon, determined I was going to get something in the ground before dark. It was unusually peaceful. The barking dogs were either in the house or asleep in the shade. There was a nice breeze blowing. The soil felt wonderful in my hands. I had tilled the soil a few weeks ago and it was in perfect condition. The first thing I put in was my tomatoes, which made me laugh because I normally plant them last. I put in some potatoes and peas and that was the end of my daylight.

            I came in the house feeling good. The garden was started. I can see the tomato plants from the house. I know there is plenty more to do out there but I got things started. I picked up the remaining seeds and plants today so I have everything that I am planning to put out. It looks like I may have to dodge a few showers this weekend to get the rest of the garden in.

            I am excited about the new gardening season and anxious to get it all in. My wife has called me the midnight gardener, and if that is what it takes before the rain this weekend that is what I will do. The soil is calling. I just have to find the time to get out there and do the work. There never seems to be enough time to get everything done, especially in spring and fall.

            I love planting and watching things grow. Sometimes when I get home from work I will go for a walk around the yard just to enjoy the things that are growing and blooming. I like watching the fruit, vegetables, and flowers grow.

 Much like watching my garden grow, I like seeing spiritual growth in my life. There are many different seasons in our spiritual journeys. I have been through a desert and hope never to return. I have been through quiet seasons where I knew I was putting down deeper roots. I have experienced seasons of fruitfulness. I can remember times that I felt like God was pruning me back. But the season I like best is the growing season. I like seeing my spiritual growth. I love when the Word teams with life on every page. Sometimes I only manage to read a couple of paragraphs during my quiet time because I am getting so much out of it.

            While growth and harvesting are probably our favorite spiritual seasons, we have to realize that each season plays an important part in our spiritual growth. We need to grow deep roots so we will endure the dry seasons. We may all love the warm sunshine, but we need the refreshment that comes from the rain showers. Each season is important if we will ultimately produce fruit for His kingdom. After all, He is the master gardener and He knows what we need to produce a bountiful harvest.

            I want to encourage you to enjoy the season God has you in at the moment. There are times that we need to rest in a quiet place so we will be ready for the challenges that lie just ahead. There are times for us to bud and bloom and there are times for us to enjoy a harvest. God is watching over us closely, so He will provide the optimal conditions for us to grow and produce a harvest. I think God takes great pleasure watching each of us grow.

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

By Doug Creamer

            We have been enjoying some nice spring weather, except for last weekend. Sunday was a cold, raw, and rainy day. It was the kind of day you want to curl up in front of the fireplace and read a good book. That sounds more like fall than spring. What was going on with the weather?

            If the storm that we had last Sunday had come just a couple of months earlier we would have had about four to six inches of snow. The low pressure system passed to our south and we were on the cold side of the storm. There was cold air around which was why we were hanging in the forties. If it had been winter, we would have had a nice snowfall. But who wants to think about snow when we are enjoying the beauty of spring?

            This week has brought some cool, comfortable, and wonderful weather. I encourage you to get out and enjoy this nice weather because in a few more weeks we are going to heat up. Some of the long-term weather models are predicting a hot summer. Some of the models are calling for a wet summer, while others are suggesting a drier summer.

            The long term forecasters are also suggesting that we might see quite a few tropical storms and hurricanes this year. You know I will be keeping a close eye on that situation. No one needs the headaches hurricanes bring to us. Just like snowstorms, hurricanes create a lot of work for those left to clean up after the storms depart.

            Sometimes we get lucky after storms and it’s only a few branches to pick up. Other times we have to deal with the inconveniences of losing power and having a much bigger mess to clean up. The same thing is true for the many storms we all encounter in our lives.

            Storms come in our lives in many different forms. For some the storm takes shape in family members who are in the hospital and needing care. Others are facing the loss of loved ones, which can sometimes happen unexpectedly. Others are facing things like the loss of their job or possibly a job change, which is stressful even if it’s a change you desire. Some people are facing financial issues, while others are struggling with relationship storms.

Storms rarely feel welcome. Some call for us to grieve while others call for us to dig deep inside and find the strength to push through to the other side. The storms we face will test our character and our resolve. Storms teach us about true friendships because true friends stand with us as we walk through our storms.

While some storms are actual weather events, other storms could be internal, dealing with depression, anxiety, worry, and fear. These storms can be hidden from outsiders, but they are as real as any natural storm. Recovery from any kind of storm takes time, and we have to give ourselves permission and space to allow ourselves to heal and restore the brokenness.

I believe it is important to surround yourself with people who will support you, but I believe it is vital to turn to your faith. God is our healer. He is our ever present help in time of need. Jesus can be closer than a brother if we will open our hearts to Him. We have to trust and believe that God sees our situation and knows how to get us the help we need. That also means we have to set aside our pride and accept the help He sends.

Jesus is a carpenter who knows how to fix things. Jesus knows everything about you and He knows what you need. He sees every part of your life and knows how to restore everything. While I am a firm believer in miracles, I have discovered that sometimes God works slowly and meticulously to restore and heal. He works with us and meets our needs.

I want to encourage you to look to God in the middle of your storms. It may feel like He is far away, but the truth is He is right there with you. He knows every detail of every situation. He is at work on your behalf, helping you along the way. Sometimes it might feel like we can’t see or feel Him, that’s probably because He is carrying us. That’s how much He loves us…He is not only with us, but He carries us through the storms. So stir up your faith. God is near. He is there for you, helping you, and rooting for you!

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

By Doug Creamer

            I am really a blessed guy because I am close with all three of my siblings. My older sister and I have been close for many years sharing our faith. My brother and I have always been close except for a few years in our youth. My younger sister and I were close because we were the last two at home when our older siblings were away at college or married and out of the house. I love catching up with each of my siblings whenever we can talk or see each other.

            My brother and I have gotten together for lunch whenever I am up in the area close to his work. We can talk about anything. We have both helped each other move numerous times. I think he has done more to help me than I have for him, but we always have a good time working together on projects.

            My older sister often comes over to see me when I am visiting my mother. We have shared some special times together through the years. There is always plenty of news with her family. It seems like someone is either getting married or having a baby or some other exciting thing. We understand each other.

            My younger sister and I catch up on the phone. We always laugh about something and share our struggles together. I have called her on more than one occasion when I needed to talk. She lives a block away from the beach so I love to go over to her house when I visit my in-laws and spend an afternoon sitting or walking the beach with her.

            We were talking last week and she said something that I really liked. I had done something that could have hurt her feelings. When I realized it I felt terrible. I apologized right away. She laughed and said, “Don’t worry, I’m a goldfish.” I said, “What are you talking about?” She laughed and explained that goldfish only remember something for 3 seconds and then they forget. She said not to worry because as a goldfish she had already forgotten about it. The trouble is: I haven’t!

            I am a sensitive person and I can easily get my feelings hurt. I would love to adopt the goldfish mentality. The trouble is my mind will not allow me to forget. I try to forget things. I try not to dwell on things. I try to let something go in one ear and out the other, but it doesn’t work. Things have a tendency to swirl around my brain again and again.

            Being sensitive is both a blessing and a curse. Being sensitive allows me to understand others and have compassion for their situations. Being sensitive allows me to pray more deeply for others. Being sensitive allows me to see others’ pain and help them by lifting their burdens and cares and standing with them through their situations.

            The problem with being sensitive is that it leaves me broken. Broken over my own mistakes. Broken for others who are suffering. Broken by a broken world. Broken by the lost who do not know the love of our Savior. But I have learned that God can use broken people if they will bring their brokenness to Him. When we are weak, He is strong. He is the healer. He is the restorer. He brings beauty from ashes. He makes beautiful things from the broken pieces.

            Sometimes I really wish I was a goldfish and could easily get over things, put things behind me, and forgive myself. Other times I am thankful that He draws close to me and picks up my pieces. He is at work in me. He works through me. He sees beauty and opportunity in brokenness. He doesn’t want me to be a goldfish. He wants me to be me. He wants me to be sensitive because that is the way He made me. Does it get in the way sometimes? Yes. Is it challenging? Yes. It is a blessing? Yes.

            I want to encourage you to not be a goldfish. It’s okay to be sensitive. It’s okay that you experience brokenness. Bring your hurting heart to Jesus. Release the pain to Him. Find the peace that goes beyond understanding that He offers to you. He cares more deeply than you will ever imagine. He sees you. He loves you…just the way you are. You are beautiful in His sight. He loves your tender heart. God works through sensitive people. Open your heart to Him so He can work in and through you.  

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

By Doug Creamer

            We live at the end of a street next to acres of woods. It makes for a quiet location. We like the peacefulness and privacy that the woods provide. We also enjoy living in a good and safe community. One day I hope to have a nice path through the woods, something I can enjoy on a warm summer day.

            The woods provide lots of wildlife. We have a variety of birds that visit our feeders and bring us great joy. We also have deer who like to visit our yard when the vegetables are ready to harvest. We have seen possums both in the yard and trying to sneak in our garage. Naturally, we have an abundance of squirrels and rabbits.

            Our unwelcome visitor came just after the holidays. You may remember that we had a mild winter and this particular visitor should have been hibernating. But the warm weather had brought this critter out and then it naturally wanted a warm place to spend the cold nights.

            I have lived in this part of our county for over thirty years and have rarely smelled a skunk. This past winter we woke up at night with our eyes burning from the odor. One neighbor saw the skunk, another caught it on their doorbell camera. There was no mistaking we had one in the area.

            One day I discovered dirt had been dug out from under the concrete slab that holds our heater. Then I discovered that our water pipe had been dug up where it enters our home. Something was wrong. We called a professional who confirmed our fears…a skunk decided we have a nice warm place to sleep.

            I’ll spare you the details, but the professional took care of our problem…much to our relief. I was delighted when he gave us the all clear. I thought our critter woes were over. Then one day I was walking out the garage door and down our steps when I thought something ran past my feet.

            It’s here that I will confess that I need to see my eye doctor. I haven’t been to the eye doctor in a few years and my vision is not what it used to be. I got a flashlight and inspected the area in question closely and discovered nothing out of the ordinary. Problem solved, until the next time I went out the door and I saw the same thing again. Something was definitely there.

            I did a more thorough inspection of the area and found some sunflower seed shells. I looked further and discovered a sunflower I had saved had been nibbled on. I removed the food supply, thus ending the mouse adventures around my back door. I hope he moved out!

            When I think about it, there are many unwelcome critters that come into our spiritual lives that we have to learn to fight and remove. The first to come to mind is temptation. We all face temptation because our enemy the devil knows just how to lure us away. Sometimes we just let him and we take the bait. We permit and perhaps even encourage temptation to live around us and fail to remove it. We are promised that there is no temptation that is too strong for us and that God promises a way of escape…but we have to choose it.

            Another way we all struggle at times is being discouraged. It’s normal to be discouraged for various reasons. We need to learn to turn to the Lord AND let others in to help lift us out and show us the light of hope. Other times we might find ourselves living with constant discouragement, overwhelming anxiety, or even depression. These mental skunks may require us to call a trusted friend, our pastor, our family doctor, or even a counselor to help us evict the skunk and to clean up our stinking thinking. God is with you and He will help you.

            I want to encourage you to take care of you. Learn how to fight and resist temptation. Walk away from situations that lead you down the wrong path. Find brothers and sisters who will stand with you and encourage you in your battle. If you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Finding the right person to listen and stand with you is critical to bring healing to your mind, body, and spirit. You are a precious son or daughter of God and He wants the best for you.  

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

By Doug Creamer

            Last weekend was Easter, and my family gathers at my brother’s house each year. They make getting together such a memorable time. There is always plenty of great food and plenty of places to sit and enjoy it with family. The extra bonus last weekend was the wonderful weather. It was a stunning spring day.

            After we ate, the adults began “hiding” the Easter eggs. There were so many plastic eggs that many of them were out in plain sight. I saw my brother with the ladder out and wondered if he was hiding eggs on the roof. He was actually retrieving a toy plane, which he had to retrieve again later in the day. There were a few eggs placed high in the V of a tree. One of my nephews held a child high in the air to get them down. Wish someone had caught a picture of that.

            The fun part of the Easter egg hunt is that it is not just for kids. Everyone from the toddlers to the patriarchs in their nineties was moving as fast as they were capable to collect as many eggs as possible. The plastic eggs contained both candy and play money. The play money was turned in for fun prizes. Both the adults and kids clamored for the best ones. The laughter and the joy echoed through the air like a welcome spring breeze.

            The gathering began to wind down as various ones began to head for home. The clean-up went quickly, as many hands make light work. Family gatherings always seem to go by fast. As I drove home I was kept company by the sounds of laughter and the new memories that will be tucked away like buried treasure. Another holiday gathering for the record books.

            Here I sit a few days after our family gathering, still nursing the memories of the conversations with nephews who are growing a business and another who is starting a new career. It is interesting to hear how some nieces are navigating careers while others are dealing with the joys of motherhood. It was fun to talk with siblings who are about to retire and those who wonder if they will ever retire. It was fun to watch the patriarchs as they enjoyed their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren spending the afternoon together.

            I thought about the family members who couldn’t make it to this gathering. I wonder how they are doing. It is impossible for entire families to gather when many live so far away and have other family commitments. I find myself wondering how they are doing and hoping they are surviving the ups, downs, and challenges of life.

            Family gatherings are important here on earth. I try to make as many as possible but I have missed a few over the years. I believe that there are family gatherings every time a loved one passes and joins their family waiting for them in heaven. It must be a great celebration with wonderful food and lots of laughter and conversation. There will be lots of old stories swapped. None of the conversations will revolve around future doctor visits, aches and pains, or lack of hearing.

            There is one catch. Not everyone will be at these heavenly gatherings. In order to attend these great reunions you have to be a member of the family of God. The invitation is available for everyone to attend, but some never sent back their acceptance letter. The acceptance involves asking Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. That’s the ticket. God wants every human being on earth to be there, but He lets that be our choice. We choose to accept His invitation or we decide by default not to be there for these wonderful family gatherings. The choice is ours.

            There are many people that I am looking forward to seeing when I arrive for my banquet. I encourage you to make the most important decision of your life, to accept God’s invitation to come to heaven. No one can do it for you. It’s up to you. I want to see you in heaven so make the decision today. You don’t have to fix your life. Jesus is an expert at helping you because He has helped many others before you. You haven’t strayed too far. The Bible is full of people who have done terrible things and yet found forgiveness and acceptance in Jesus’ embrace. That same acceptance is available to you without any cost. I am not sure what I will eat first; I am mainly looking forward to the gathering of family and friends!

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

            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

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

A few weeks ago, my pastor asked if I might kick off a series he was beginning about how to share our faith. It was a crazy morning at our church. We didn’t have heat in the sanctuary, the mike gave out on the pastor, and our video feed wasn’t working properly. We have a tech genius in our church who got the electronics to work. We came back online late but before I took the stage. You can advance about 15 – 20 minutes and join me for the message. Thank you for watching and enjoy!