Doug’s Columns

By Doug Creamer

Celebrating and Struggling

            I hope you had some good food and some great fellowship over the 4^th of July weekend. It is a special time to gather together and celebrate our great nation. It is good to slow down and connect with those who mean so much to us.

            Our family gathered at my brother’s house, where you don’t have to be family to come and enjoy. One thing that came to mind while I was enjoying our gathering was that some of our family wasn’t present. I am not talking about those who live long distances away who were unable to travel and join the festivities. I was thinking about those who are no longer with us.

            Holidays are great gathering times. We get to be together and enjoy eating great food. It can be difficult to know the family is gathering but some will not be there. We miss those who have gone ahead. There is a little hole in our hearts as we celebrate each holiday. It should remind us to hug those we have a little tighter and cause us to be more present with those who are still with us. We don’t know the future so we need to learn to appreciate the present and the gift that each person is to our gatherings.

            I wrote a column recently about celebrating good news from people who had successful surgeries. A reader wrote to remind me that not everyone has successful surgeries or receives healing. She wanted me to acknowledge that even if we bathe people in prayer, sometimes things do not turn out the way we are hoping. She is correct. Some who seek healing from God may end up facing long surgeries and painful recoveries. Others may not survive even though many have prayed for them.

            Through the difficulties and challenges we have to understand that God is sovereign and that He can do the amazing and the miraculous. Sometimes He chooses not to do it and that is something that we don’t understand. I believe sometimes God chooses to walk with us through the trials and difficulties. I think His reason is that He wants to reveal more of Himself to us. We know and understand so little about our infinite God.

            I also believe when things are going great in life very few of us seek to know God better. We don’t NEED Him because at the moment we can make it through the challenges we face without His help. It seems like it takes something big to make us realize that we really do need Him. If we experience the miraculous we will celebrate and then often return to depending on ourselves. We will often not press in to know Him in a deeper way.

            I have learned through many dark and difficult times in my life that faith in God and trusting in Him has been the only thing that has helped me make it through. Sometimes I feel His presence strongly. Other times God has sent me a good friend who has stood with me and helped me back to my feet. These friends have spoken words of life and hope and given me the courage to keep moving forward. Someone put it to me this way once. We must have God to make it through the dark and difficult times in life but sometimes we need someone with skin to help and hold us.

            I think when it comes to praying for healing, we have to determine no matter what the outcome, we land on Jesus. If He heals, praise God! If He doesn’t heal, praise God! This will ultimately teach us to live in the moment, to love and appreciate each other deeply. We will learn to express our love and appreciation for each other. We will understand that tomorrow is not guaranteed and that we need to learn to live in the moment.

            I want to encourage you to trust God in every situation. No matter what the outcome, God is in control and He has His eye on you. He has not forgotten you. He is present with you as you walk through the challenges and difficulties. He wants you to know Him in a deeper and more profound way. Some things in life are tragic and leave us broken, but He is a God who tenderly and patiently puts the pieces of our lives back together. We each play an important role in this process. Our job is to love, care for, sit with, listen, try to understand, be compassionate, and to help the person take steps to move forward. In that way we become His hands and His feet.

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

By Doug Creamer

Unity

                It’s time to fire up the grill and get ready for all our Fourth of July favorites. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings. Then there will be the heavy-laden dessert table filled with tempting treats. After all our stomachs are stuffed we will sit back and enjoy a grand fireworks display. My mouth is already watering and I am ready for the big day.

                My brother hosts our family gathering at his house. He has joked in recent years that he and his wife can’t downsize on their house because where would our family gather for all the major holidays? You never know who is going to be in town and who you might see at these gatherings. Sometimes neighbors and friends join the fun. Whoever is there feels like they are part of our family because we all make them feel welcome.

                This is a special year as our country celebrates 250 years. It is hard to believe that our democratic experiment has lasted for 250 years. 250 sounds old but when compared to other nations we are young. When you study our history you realize that many things have evolved over time. We have been through hard times and survived.

                One of the things one must consider on such a momentous occasion is all the men and women who have fought and given their lives so we could live in freedom. Our nation was birthed and has maintained its identity at a very high cost to so many. On this day we must stop and reflect on the high price many have paid for this great nation and have thankful hearts for their sacrifice.

                One thing that gives me pause as I consider this great nation is the media reports of polls that show a majority of us believe we are a divided nation. I have heard my own mouth say it and the thought troubles me. I do not want to believe that we are a divided nation and I want to encourage you to grab ahold of that belief. Do we all think alike? No. Do we all want the same things for our country? No. Do we have problems? Yes. Do we have differences? Yes. But I would argue these are the things that make us so great. We are a diverse and wonderful people who see our differences as strength, as something we should celebrate.

                Our diversity is what gives us the creativity that we all enjoy in the arts, theater, and music. Seeing life from different angles opens the doors to entrepreneurship. If we all thought and acted the same where would new product ideas develop? It would be a very boring existence if we were all the same. A simple example that comes to mind is in all the different foods we enjoy because people bring their culture and different traditions to our tables.

                These differences can and should be celebrated in the body of Christ. Paul writes and compares us to the various parts of the human body. He asks, can we all be an eye? Then where would hearing or smelling take place? Can the hand say to the foot, I don’t need you? How would the hand get around? We should be the example to the world around us on how we encourage and celebrate each person’s uniqueness and service in the body of Christ.

                The only caution I would suggest is that we can’t allow our diversity to diminish our unity. We are the representation of Jesus here on earth. We are His ambassadors. We need to work to present the body as one: united, standing together, fighting for each other not with each other, and believing our diversity is designed to help us fulfill our destiny. God created us to be unique but not to allow that uniqueness to separate us.

                I want to encourage you to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of this great nation. Reflect on how our differences have made us a stronger and better nation. I also want to encourage you to consider the diversity you find at your local church. Celebrate how God has brought you together to serve your community in a way that will glorify Him. Consider the important part that you play in your church, your roles and responsibilities. God placed you in your congregation. He needs your uniqueness to shine brightly. He also needs you to display the unity of the fellowship of believers gathered together to bring glory to Him. Happy Birthday America! Here’s hoping you will enjoy your 4^th of July celebration.

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

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

By Doug Creamer

The God of Through

            There is always something to do if you love gardening. You never get it all done. There are projects waiting to be tackled. There are ALWAYS weeds that need to be pulled. There are always new flowers, shrubs, and plants that need a new home. Gardening is a fun adventure with plenty of rewards for all the hard work.

            Speaking of rewards, we ate fresh green beans from the garden tonight. I have enjoyed some blueberries. My brother gave me a tomato plant for my birthday and I have eaten several tomato sandwiches off that plant with more to come. It’s not even July 4^th. Our flowers are putting on a show, too. We have flowers in containers in various places around the house. We are also enjoying the daylilies blooming.

            I am not sure I mentioned the adventure of putting up a fence around the garden. I had a friend come who did most of the work installing my fence. The fence has been doing its job keeping the deer out of the garden. We will get to enjoy more of the daylilies because of the fence. I am afraid the rabbits, squirrels, and turtles will still be enjoying the garden.

            The other problem gardeners are facing is the lack of rain. We have had a dry spring and early summer. The hot spells are not helping either. A few lucky ones have enjoyed some thunderstorms, but at my house we have remained dry. Trying to get the flowers and vegetables through the dry weather is a challenge. Some plants have wilted in the heat while others have had their leaves turn brown. Gardening is full of challenges.

            It’s not just gardening that is challenging; life is full of trials and difficulties. Here is just a short list of health-related issues from people that I know: bronchitis, neck and back surgeries, a broken wrist, ear surgery, heart issues including circulation and fainting spells, and someone facing open heart surgery. It’s hard to deal with all the ways our bodies are not cooperating. All these situations require people to make it through to the other side. I am praying for all of them to have a full recovery.

            Getting through something is always challenging. If someone else is struggling to make it through it doesn’t seem as bad. We believe they can make it through and sometimes we find ways to encourage them along the way. However, when we have to find a way to make it through, that is a totally different story. We want to see the Lord move in the miraculous and bring us instant relief. But the more I observe life I am beginning to understand that God is very interested in walking us through the trials and difficulties to build our faith and trust in Him.

            I have seen God move in miraculous ways and it is very exciting. I pray, hope, and believe God can and will move in the miraculous to bring healing. But I have also watched friends and loved ones being put in the position where they have to walk through the fire of difficulties so they can see firsthand that we really do have a loving and compassionate God who never leaves or forsakes us.

            In my life, I have experienced God’s miraculous touch, but more often I have learned to walk through the challenges and learned to lean on Him. Each trial I have walked through has built my faith and deepened my trust in Him. I would rather have avoided the challenge altogether and seen God move miraculously, but knowing He has helped me reach the other side is important for my spiritual growth. It helps me understand and have compassion for others. Making it through builds endurance, perseverance, and faith.

            Are you walking through something? Are you struggling to have faith in the midst of your circumstances? Don’t be discouraged, because we all struggle when we walk through difficult times. I want to encourage you to trust God to help you and to believe He will see you through to the other side. You become the winner! You become stronger! You become a mighty warrior in prayer! You become the overcomer! You develop a testimony to others who find themselves facing similar circumstances. You become a blessing because you have endured and made it to the other side. Hang in there…God is going to see you through your circumstances and you will be a stronger person with a deeper faith! Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

In a Moment, Everything Changes

            You know what I am talking about…life is going along at a normal pace. There are the daily hiccups, the usual hassles, the slow drivers, and that crazy person at work. You are home and glad to be in your refuge. Then your phone rings and everything changes…

            Last week in Salisbury at an apartment complex everything was fine one moment and then the next moment a fire broke out, leaving a number of families homeless. One moment you are doing something normal and routine like eating dinner or maybe watching TV with your family and then something happens.

            Most of us can remember a time when life was normal and then our phone rang. We answer and receive news we don’t want to hear. There has been an accident and a loved one is in the hospital. I received a text like that last evening. My mom fell and went to the ER. It leaves us feeling helpless. We pray and watch the clock. I’ve been at the ER with people before; time moves slowly while you are waiting for answers. You sit. You pace. News comes slowly.

            In our case, my Mom waited a long time before they sent her home. She should make a full recovery. The news is not always that good for some folks. For some, the news goes from bad to worse. A hospital stay is followed by a long recovery, or maybe the loved one continues to decline. That phone call or text that interrupted your normal day changed everything.

            Phone calls and texts don’t always bring bad news. Sometimes our lives change for the better. Your child calls to tell you that they are engaged and you burst at the seams for joy. The phone rings and you find out that you are a grandparent! You find out that your child got a big promotion at work. Maybe you are the one spreading good news and a family celebration ensues. You got the dream beach house and you couldn’t be happier. These are moments when we welcome life’s changes with open arms. We are excited and filled with joy and can’t wait to let the world know our great news.

            Whether your phone call or text was bad or good your world changed in a moment. One moment everything seems normal and then the next moment everything changes. Your world is different and it may never return to the normal that you used to know. Your life has changed for the better, or maybe for worse.

            I believe that the idea that everything can change in a moment needs to be carried with us when we go to prayer. We need to enter God’s presence knowing that everything can and might change in just one moment. I believe that God is still in the healing business. I believe and have seen with my own eyes the Lord touch and bring healing. Everything changes in a moment.

            I believe that God is still in the business of changing lives. He can take a broken sinner and restore them. He can take impossible situations and make them right again. He can heal broken relationships. He can deliver a person who is addicted. He can set people free from brokenness, bitterness, and anger. He can heal someone struggling with anxiety or depression. In a moment He can change everything!

            I believe that nothing is impossible with God. He can change financial situations. In the Bible, one day Joseph is sleeping in a dungeon and the next he is second in command to Pharaoh and sleeping in a palace. God rescued Daniel from hungry lions. He saved three men who refused to bow to an idol from burning in a fiery furnace. Nothing is too difficult for Him. No one has strayed too far from His love. In a moment, everything can change!

            I want to encourage you to believe in a God who still does impossible things. He sees you and He knows everything about you…even the number of hairs on your head. He loves you and is pursuing you, wanting your heart and a deeper more intimate relationship with YOU! There is nothing too difficult for Him. There is no sin He won’t forgive. There is no pain He can’t heal. There is nothing you are worried about that He can’t fix. He can do it in a moment or sometimes He moves more slowly, building your faith and trust in Him along the way. Bring your situation to Him because I still believe that in a moment everything can change!

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

By Doug Creamer

To the Class of 2026

            It’s graduation season and young people are spreading their wings and flying off on new adventures. With optimism and hope they are leaving behind the familiar to fly into the unknown. High school students are heading off to careers, the military, or college educations. The excitement is bubbling over from both parents and students as graduations are occurring around the country.

            I attended graduation each year of my career. I can’t believe that it has been seven years since I last attended a graduation. Retirement from full-time teaching has been great but I still enjoy the blessing of teaching part-time. I am helping students earn their high school equivalency. It is so rewarding to help students achieve this goal.  

            I don’t remember every gradation I attended because the ceremony is pretty similar from year to year. I do remember looking at the list of graduates and putting a little mark beside the students that I had. I was always amazed at how many of the graduates I knew as my students. What I enjoyed the most about the ceremony was seeing my students afterwards and congratulating them. The students who were actively involved in my DECA club always held a special place in my heart.

            I enjoyed listening to the speeches at graduation. Some were given by students, others by the principals. I always took notes on those speeches and used them as the catalyst for a column. There were always special gems in those speeches that encouraged and challenged me. While I am definitely not interested in giving a graduation speech, I have often wondered what my message would be if I was in that situation. Here are a few thoughts that I would like to offer to the class of 2026.

            Congratulations to the Class of 2026. You grew up during the pandemic and you saw firsthand that life can be crazy. I hope you also saw that things will get better. Life is full of ups and downs. The ups never seem to last as long as you hope and the downs do not last forever. When you find yourself knocked down in life remember the pandemic; you have to learn to get yourself back up, brush yourself off, and start moving forward once again.

            You have already learned about one of the keys that make life better: friendship. You and your high school friends are all about to travel different roads that will take you away from each other. You will make new friends in college, in your places of work, in your communities, and in the social circles you will choose in life. Friendships are important and they will cost you time and commitment to maintain. I encourage you to work at them because they will sustain you when you go through troubled waters and you will sustain others during their troubled times. We need each other to make it through the journey of life.

            Look back at your life and find something that you enjoyed doing. Can you find a career that encompasses that activity? Cooking. Playing sports. Reading. Math. Science. Collecting. Showing others how to do something. If you can find a job or career doing something you enjoy, a way you can pursue your passion, you will never have to go to work. You will enjoy your job. You will look forward to going to work. Please know that there will be problems, every job has them, but you will figure it out and enjoy yourself through the process.

            I want to encourage you not to neglect your spiritual life. Your job will provide for your physical needs and hopefully bring fulfillment. Your friendships will meet your emotional and social needs. Often people forget that we have a spirit and it has needs too. Find a church where you can connect with other believers, where you can discover more about yourself and God. Jesus wants to be in a personal relationship with you and He has provided a way for you to connect with the Father, Himself, and the Holy Spirit.

            Class of 2026, I encourage and challenge you to build strong friendships, discover your passions and pursue them, and most importantly develop deep spiritual roots that will sustain you through the ups and downs of life. God loves you. He’s offered a way for you to be forgiven. He will guide you to fulfill your God ordained purpose. He will help you and never leave your side through the good times and the bad. God has a wonderful adventure planned for your life. Take His hand and fly into your destiny.

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

By Doug Creamer

They Gave Everything

            I took advantage of the long weekend to paint our hall bathroom. It needed a good refresh. I had forgotten how long all the prep takes for painting. I washed the walls and had to take everything out of my way. I also taped along the edges, which takes time initially but saves time in the cleanup. The paint companies promote “one coat coverage,” but I like to put two coats on for a better outcome and appearance. I finished the second coat on Monday afternoon. I am waiting for it to dry so I can start putting the bathroom back together.

My mother loves to paint. I think it is work and it involves bending and getting up and down off the floor. I am not as young as I used to be and it takes a little more effort to get up and down. I haven’t painted the woodwork yet. The freshly painted walls are making it look like it needs paint, too.

            I am planning to paint the main bathroom the next time I have a day off. Our main bathroom is larger and I probably need the time to recover before I tackle it. While I do not think I am getting older, my body tells me a different story when I get involved in projects.

            The reason I decided to work on this project was because of the long weekend. Memorial Day weekend is the traditional kickoff of summer. The weather has been up and down but in a few more weeks we will be wishing for some cooler weather. Summer is a great season as we will soon be enjoying all the treats from our vegetable gardens. It won’t be long now. Good things are on the way.

            Memorial Day can sometimes get lost in the rush into summer. Memorial Day is a special day that we set aside to remember those who gave their lives in sacrifice for our country. They lost their lives while fighting for and defending our great nation. We get to live with all the rights and freedoms that our nation provides because they were willing to stand up for us.

            We have some veterans in my family line, but I am unaware of any who died while serving our nation. That is not the case for many of my readers. Many have loved ones who have paid the highest price for our country and I want to thank you and your family. Losing a loved one anytime is difficult, but losing them while they are serving our country must create a pain that is hard to endure, and again I thank you!

            Currently it is a choice to serve our country through one of the military branches. A number of my students have graduated and gone into the service and I respect their choice. We had JROTC at some of the schools where I taught and I always enjoyed seeing the students grow and mature in that program.

We need to honor all who serve our country, but we must never forget those who paid the ultimate price for our nation. We must also remember the suffering their families have endured for us. We are truly blessed by their sacrifice. We are also blessed by the sacrifice some have made to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ten of the twelve disciples were martyred for trying to spread the Good News. Their only crime was trying to tell people that Jesus and God the Father love, accept, and forgive them and how to find salvation through faith in Jesus.

            In the 2000 years since Jesus was here, there have been many others who have died because they wanted to help people find the way to salvation. Jesus came so we could be in a right relationship with God. Sin separates us from the goodness of God. Jesus made a way through His death on a cross. Now anyone who repents and asks Jesus into their hearts can have peace with God and know they will spend eternity with Him in heaven.

            If you have never received Jesus as your savior, then I want to encourage you to open your heart to Him. If you have received Jesus, then I want to encourage you to share the Good News with the people in your life. The Good News is that Jesus fixed our broken relationship with God and offers us the gift of eternity with God in heaven. That’s Good News for each of us and Good News that we can and should share with others.

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

By Doug Creamer

Is it Real or Fake?

            A while back I was going through a tough time. I felt like I was in a hole and couldn’t find my way out. One night while I was scrolling social media I discovered a podcaster. I was about to scroll past her when something she said caught my attention. I listened and her words comforted and encouraged me in my situation. I watched additional posts from her and found some rays of hope that lifted my spirit.

            It’s never one thing that pulls us out of a rough spot. It takes the prayers and encouragement of good friends. In my case, talking with my pastor and his wife helped to get my thinking straightened out. Sometimes we need help to work through the challenges of life. God sends help from a variety of places, including a podcaster.

            Last week I was scrolling social media when a neuroscientist offered some insight into how our brains work. I listened to several short clips from her as they popped up on my feed. Many of her clips were focused on positive motivation. She explained how the brain can aid us if stimulated properly, which I found fascinating.

            Her posts were generated from her home office, in her car, out by the swimming pool, and sitting in her living room. I wanted to find out more about her background, so I Googled her. The search brought up a movie star with the same name. I dug deeper and discovered that she didn’t have a website. She only had a presence on Instagram and Facebook.

I went to her Facebook page and discovered something unbelievable to me. She was not a real person. The videos of this woman were all AI generated. That means this woman does not exist. The AI created character has quite a few videos on a variety of topics. The homepage plainly states that this is not a real person but an AI generated character. The information is neurological science on how to be motivated to change.

I wasn’t sure how to take this discovery. The AI character seems warm and friendly. The information provided should be based on facts and research, but would I trust it? We all trust Google when we ask a question, but can we trust an AI character that shares information that we are seeking?

I have used AI to help develop curriculum for teaching. I wondered what else I could get AI to do. I went to an AI platform and asked it to write a column in my personality. I gave it some specific guidelines and sent it to my website. Then I waited a few minutes and out popped a column. I have to admit the AI did a good job, but not a great job. In some places you could obviously tell it was not my style, but in others it picked up on the way I write pretty well. With a little extra training…who knows?

There is one place we can all look to find the truth in a world that has made it increasingly more difficult to distinguish between what is real and fake. The Bible is God’s truth and it can be trusted in every situation to tell us the truth. It can guide us as we make important life choices. It can reveal the true character of God: His faithfulness, kindness, love, mercy, and forgiveness. It can encourage us in and through difficult times. It can challenge us to change and live up to higher standards.

In an AI world filled with fake news it is comforting to look into God’s Word where truth is revealed and darkness is shattered. God wants to reveal the truth to you and set you free from the lies you have heard. He wants you to know that He created you and that you are beautiful in His sight. You are His son or daughter with complete access to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Your prayers are heard, valued, and answered. You have influence with God. He knows everything about you and loves you more deeply than you can understand. That’s the truth!

I want to encourage you to open your Bible and read the truth. You can trust God and His Word completely. You can learn about His character. You can learn His ways. You can learn to hear His voice. You can enter His presence without fear. You can believe His Word and trust in His promises. God is real and He has great things planned for you. That is the truth and you can trust and believe it.

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

By Doug Creamer

Thankful for Mom(s)

            I grew up watching the Brady Bunch and Leave it to Beaver. These were iconic families. They were perfect families. We watched because we enjoyed the show but I think there was a small part of all of us that wished our families were like those families. We wanted the perfect mom and dad and lots of love.

            No one had that kind of perfect childhood. No parent, no matter how hard they try or want to be, is perfect. As adults we all make bad choices because we live in a fallen world. Parents have to try and do the best they can in each situation. Sometimes things turn out great, other times things aren’t so great.

            I feel lucky and blessed to have grown up in a home where my needs were met. I had good food, nice clothes, and a good roof over my head. There are many people who aren’t so lucky. I grew up in a safe and stable environment. My parents were not perfect but they did the best they could for our family.  

            Since Mother’s Day was last weekend, I was thinking specifically about my mother. My mom was a stay-at-home mom. She has always been active in the community and until recently she was active in church. Mom has always loved a bargain and passed that love on to her four children. Mom has always loved gardening and still loves planting flowers and growing vegetables. She has also been an avid reader. She would sometimes have several books going at the same time. Both my parents could be found reading when we went on family vacations.

            Mom has a green thumb and she knows how to revive those plants that are on the discount table. Mom is a very creative person. She ran a flower business when I was a kid and arranged the flowers for my wedding. Her creativity wasn’t limited to flowers; she could write, too. She writes an annual Christmas letter to family and friends, a tradition my brother and I maintain.

            My mother taught me right from wrong. Switches were out of style when I was coming along so she used the metal spatula. Sometimes all she had to do was rattle the drawer that held the spatula to get us back in line. Mom believes in treating people right and she modeled that for us kids. She taught us to believe and look for the best in people and I really appreciate that and try to practice that as I teach my students.

            I feel lucky that my mom is still with us. I have been reflecting on the idea that sometimes God gives us “extra” moms. Naturally, a mother-in-law becomes extra mom. My wife and I found a special person when we were in college who became like an extra mom for us. She and her husband gave us some home-cooked meals and took us on adventures. I told my Dad’s significant other that she was like an extra Mom. I believe we can’t have too many people investing in us, caring about us, speaking words of encouragement, and helping guide us through the many ins and outs of life.

            The Bible encourages us to honor our parents, and it’s nice that we set aside a day in May to honor moms and a day in June to honor dads. If we are lucky enough to have good parents, we can receive great deposits from them. I’ll admit that sometimes we pick up our parent’s quirks within those deposits, but that is part of what makes life interesting. Still, we should stop, reflect, and appreciate all that our parents did to raise us and encourage us to spread our wings and fly. My mom did a good job raising her four children and helping each of us grow into responsible adults. I honor her for the good job that she did with each of us.

            I want to encourage you to reflect on your life and consider the impact your parents, especially your mom, had on your trajectory in life. Remember to be thankful for all that she did and sacrificed for you. Take time to express that thanks to her. If your mom has passed then let the seeds she planted in your heart grow and produce a harvest in her memory. Moms live so selflessly all their lives, wanting to make sure that their kids grow up to have a positive impact in their little corner of the world. Thanks, Mom, for a job well done. I hope we make you proud. I love you, Mom! 

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

By Doug Creamer

People Need the Lord

            When I walk out to my garden I can’t believe how great it looks this year. I don’t have everything in, but what’s in is doing well. One thing I am doing differently this year is leaving the leaves from last fall on the beds and just pushing them back to plant the vegetables. My hope is that the leaves will keep the weeds down.

            After a very warm April, I am enjoying the cooler start to May. The long-term forecast is suggesting that we might enjoy a cooler than average May before a hot summer kicks off. It makes for nice gardening and walking weather. I know the hot weather is on the way, but I am going to enjoy the relatively nice weather for now.

            I helped my Mom plant some vegetables and flowers last week. We had fun working in her backyard. My brother and I created some raised beds for her that we planted with vegetables. We enjoyed getting our hands in the dirt and planting things. I think I got my love of gardening from my Mom. She has always loved growing flowers and vegetables.

            While I enjoy vegetable gardening immensely, I appreciate the beauty of flowers and the awakening of spring each year. Growing vegetables and flowers stirs me up spiritually. I love seeing people grow spiritually. I guess that is why I love teaching Sunday school.

            I did a three-week series in our Sunday school class about sowing seeds in various types of soil. I encouraged my class to remember the correlation between gardening and spiritual growth. We need to prepare hearts to hear the gospel message so they can receive the seeds of faith that will grow and produce a harvest.

            We know that God’s Word is the seed from the parable of the sower. God’s seed is alive and active and ready to produce a harvest if it lands in good soil. People’s hearts are in all kinds of conditions. Some are as hard as concrete. They won’t hear anything from God. Others have some soil mixed with all kinds of hard places that will keep the seeds from growing. Others have too many cares choking out whatever God wants to do in their lives. Finally, we have those whose hearts are ready to receive God’s Word and produce a harvest for Him.

            Every person needs the Lord no matter what the condition of their heart. We all have pain in our lives and we need God’s healing. The problem is that people’s hearts are in different places. Part of our job is to pray and ask God to guide us in helping people receive Him.

            Sometimes we have to break up the hard soil, remove rocks, and pull weeds to help prepare the hearts that are far from God. We also have to be patient and allow God to work. We want to plant a seed today and go harvest a crop tomorrow. It doesn’t work that way. We have to give the Holy Spirit time and space to work. That’s why it is critical for us to be sensitive to God’s Spirit as we reach out to others. We don’t know where they are or how receptive their hearts are to the Lord.

            We all know people who are distant from God. Hurting and broken people are all around us. People need the Lord. Our hearts need to be tender towards the people and sensitive to hear God. What He wants us to do is different for each person. Everyone can pray for those who are far from God. Our prayers make a big difference and can change circumstances. People who need the Lord need us to be sensitive, available, tender, and compassionate. People will open their hearts if they know that we love them just like God loves them.

            I want to encourage you to pray for those in your life who need to open their hearts to God. Pray that God will work on their soil and prepare a place for His Word and love to land. Ask God what your role is in that process. How can He use you to help draw the person closer? Remember God is patient with each one of us and that it is His Spirit that draws a person into a relationship with the Father and Jesus. Often He will use us, but we need to be humble and available. People need the Lord and God will use you to help plant the seeds of love and hope in the hearts of those who don’t know Him.

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