Doug’s Columns

By Doug Creamer

Teamwork

            We are in the heart of March Madness. I can’t tell you much about it because I don’t really follow sports. However, if I see a game on TV I will watch it. If it is on at a restaurant, I will pay attention. A game was on the other day when I visited my Mom and I watched it while we were talking. It’s not that I don’t like sports, I just don’t follow them.

            One year for my birthday a neighbor gave me tickets to see the Charlotte Hornets play the Chicago Bulls. I had a great time at the game and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is so much to watch when you go to see a professional game in person. I have been to a variety of sporting events and I have always had a great time.

            When a team pulls together and everyone is playing their best, it can be very exciting to watch the team play. For teams to be successful each player has to give their best. It’s not about an individual member shining like a star. Each member has to pull their weight and do their assigned job for the team to win.

            A coach once explained it to me best by sharing something he overheard one night on a bus. The boys’ and girls’ teams from the school were returning home after their games. The boys lost their game but each of the guys was bragging about what they had done on the court. “I got ten points and six rebounds.” “I made eight points.” Then the boys looked at the girls and asked, “What did you do?” One of the girls looked up and said, “We won!” It’s not about individual performance; it’s about team effort.

            Teams come with a variety of skills and abilities, but each member has to learn how to work with the other members to make the team successful. I’ve seen teams with incredible talent that could not win a game, and other teams with fair talent grow to become undefeated.

            I believe we can look at churches and see the same results. I have seen churches with great talent, good worship, and a welcoming children’s department that closed their doors. But a church that recognizes that they are a team can achieve a level of success that others can’t touch.

            I wonder if there are people in churches who feel undervalued so they find it difficult to contribute to the success of a church. The Bible makes it clear that every member of a church has a vital role in the health and success of that church body. We each contribute in our own unique way. Some people do highly visible things that may garner more attention, while others work quietly behind the scenes…both are very important to make that church work. Neither is more important than the other.

            When Jesus sent the disciples out two-by-two He probably paired some of the guys together who wouldn’t seem like a great match. The disciples, like us, had to learn how to work together, to build unity and trust in each other. When we can form bonds with each other through common goals there is a deeper respect and a greater love that can develop.

            The disciples also had to learn to step out and take risks in sharing God’s love with others. This requires faith. God always requires us to have faith. God’s work is far beyond our ability to be able to perform it. We have to depend upon Him to work through us. He is the one who can save a soul. He is the healer. He is the one who can set the captives free. But God chooses to work through people like you and me in and through our churches.

            I want to encourage you to look at your church and its members in a new light. Consider the idea that God looks at you as a team. Teams have to set aside differences and focus on the goals at hand. Is the color of the choir robes or the carpet more important than maintaining unity and reaching the lost? God has given each church an assignment, and that is to be a light in the darkness in their community. To bring His hope and forgiveness to those who are far from God. To help people find healing for their broken lives. To let people know that God loves them in spite of the crazy world we live in. Let’s set aside our differences, join the team, and fulfill God’s purposes in our communities for His glory. 

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

By Doug Creamer

Walking with Him

            I stepped out the door for my walk today and was surprised by the nip in the air. I turned around and grabbed a warmer jacket. The cool spring breeze reminded me that winter hasn’t quite lost its grip. Winter can try to hold on, but spring is proudly displaying her colors. Trees and shrubs are blooming, not mention lots of bulbs, pansies, and violas. I try to catch each sign of spring in my neighborhood as I walk.

            About halfway through my walk something drew my eye up. The sight of the incredibly blue sky took my breath away. We don’t get that crystal clear blue sky here that often because of humidity or the clouds. When we get lucky enough to get one of those days in the spring, fall, or after a winter storm has passed I could stand and just get lost in the beauty.

            I had a few days off work and had a list that would take a month to complete. The first day felt overwhelming as I tried to figure out how to get the whole list done. I rushed around the whole day feeling exhausted when I went to bed. The second day I decided I was not going to let my list overwhelm me. I was going to get done what I could and allow myself to be satisfied.

            I made a few more decisions. I was going to get some much needed rest. I had allowed myself to get a little run down and I needed to catch up on sleep. I also wanted to escape into a good book, which I did. I wanted to have lunch with a good friend. Finally, I wanted to do some work in my garden. I know it is early to start, but I was able to get some potatoes and peas planted. They can take any cold that Old Man Winter tries to send our way.

            One of the things I had to work on while I was off was an upcoming sermon for church. My pastor asked if I would like to teach one Sunday and I agreed. I team teach our adult Sunday school class and it’s my turn to teach Sunday school. I had extra time in the mornings when I could study and prepare for the sermon and the lessons. Some of the things were coming together nicely, while I was struggling with other parts. When I sought the Lord as to why things were not all falling into place, He told me I would have what I need when I needed it.

            I wanted everything to come to me while I had the time off. He wanted me to walk with Him and trust Him to meet my needs. He wanted me to spend time with Him and allow Him to reveal to me what I needed in the moment. It is hard to wait on God, especially when it takes time to create lessons and the sermon. When I expressed my concern about needing time to prepare, He reminded me of times when columns flowed through me like a river. He assured me that He is more than able to help me with the sermon and lessons if I will trust and seek Him.

            Walking with God is not easy. His timetables rarely line up with ours. Whoever said that the Christian walk is easy and carefree really missed it. Following Jesus requires us to sacrifice our will for God’s will. His ways are not our ways, nor is His will our will. His ways often lead us down paths which are challenging. Jesus wants us to live up to God’s plans for our lives. That involves walking by faith, trusting Him for everything, and making difficult choices.

            Sometimes it comes down to our focus. We live in the here and now. God is looking at the big picture. He wants us to develop character and perseverance. He wants to see us grow and mature in our Christian faith. God, who is not limited by time, is focused on preparing us for things that lie ahead. He knows the challenges and difficulties and what we will need to make it through. He is focused on giving us the strength so we can find the victory.           

            I want to encourage you to walk with Him through whatever you are facing in life. You can and will overcome the challenge that feels impossible. You have to trust Him and know that He is walking with you. He is closely watching you and helping to guide you as you take steps of faith. He is a GOOD Father, provider, and protector. He has your best interest at heart even as you walk through challenging and difficult times. He loves you! You can trust Him!

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

By Doug Creamer

            I live next to some woods, which I enjoy because they provide both privacy and cooling shade in the heat of summer. The woods near my house are mainly pine trees. On the other end of the woods there are mainly hardwood trees. I enjoy the peacefulness of walking through the woods, which reminds me of my days in the Boy Scouts.

            There are several really big trees right on the edge of the woods, including a very old elm, several oaks, a couple of maples, and sadly, some sweetgum trees. The sweetgum trees are large and provide lots of great shade. BUT…they also provide lots of gumballs. They get in the gutters, flowerbeds, vegetable garden, and all over my yard. If I had a dollar for each one I would be very wealthy!

            I hate gumballs. They make walking in the yard difficult. The lawn mower hits them and throws them…sometimes at me! They are problems that get into everything and don’t provide any benefit to me.

            When we get windy storms I lie in bed and listen to them hitting the roof. I hear them rolling down the roof and probably getting stuck in the gutters. I have wondered at times why God created sweetgum trees. My curiosity goes beyond gumballs to include poison ivy and plants that have burrs. My list of questionable things also includes mosquitos, flies, and slugs. Some people might include jellyfish and snakes on the list.

            We need to be careful. There is a huge difference between asking God a question and questioning God. It is okay to ask God a question because you want to learn, grow, and have a better understanding. Are you asking to be teachable? I think it comes down to how you asked the question. Asking God, “Why is the sky blue?” is very different from, “Why did you make the sky blue?” The first sounds more curious while the second sounds more like you are questioning his color choice.

            I am afraid that my questions about gumballs and poison ivy might fall in the wrong category of questions. I want to be careful to not cross the line with God. We are never in a position to question God. When Job went to God with his questions, God confronted him. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations?” I hope I never find myself in that place.

            In one hour Job lost all his children and his wealth. It is a very natural reaction for him to say, “God, why weren’t you watching over my children? Don’t you care that my wealth was stolen from me?” In this case, Job is accusing God of something He didn’t do. The Bible makes it clear that Satan is the accuser, destroyer, and thief. Job’s frustration with his situation was aimed in the wrong direction.

            When we are facing trials and challenges we can easily find ourselves just like Job. We raise our voices towards heaven and ask, “Where were you, God?” Think of the people in California who lost their homes to the fires or the people in our mountains who lost their homes to the flooding; it’s easy to understand why they might question God. I can understand why the parents of a little child who has cancer or the husband of a wife who was in a terrible car wreck might find themselves questioning God.

            First, we have to remember that God is NOT the author of the tragic situation. He is our GOOD Father who heals, restores, and rights the wrongs. He is the one who will send His children to help the one in need. He is the rescuer and the redeemer. God does allow our faith to be tested to see if we will trust Him in the darkest of times. But He is also the one who will come through for us in our difficult moments.

            I want to encourage you to bring your difficult things to God. Be careful not to question Him, but seek His wisdom, guidance, and comfort. Ask Him for help because you know He is a good Father and you can trust that He will see you through your situation. There is nothing too difficult for God. Nothing is impossible for Him. His love for you is deeper than you can ever understand. Put your hand in His. Follow Him. Trust Him. Believe in His goodness. He will see you through to the other side. This storm will pass. You can trust that the SON will shine on you.

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

By Doug Creamer

            Last week started out great. My supervisor asked me if I would do a presentation for our precollege students. She wanted me to teach them how to present themselves when they go into a group setting. We called it, “how to work the room.” It was a lesson on how to dress, smile, shake someone’s hand, and participate in a conversation. I had a great time presenting to the students.

            I left that presentation and went to Greensboro, where I helped with the officer elections at the State DECA competition. There were 37 students running for 6 offices. The competition was going to be intense. Each year when it is over my hope is always renewed in our future. These students demonstrate an understanding of the responsibility of leadership. They know that true leaders are called to serve, not be served.

            I am always given an opportunity to talk with the candidates for a few minutes. I tell them about my experience running one of my students for state office. My student was edged out in one of the closest races I know about in NC DECA history. I also share a story that I am familiar with of a young man who ran for a National DECA office and won.

            I help with administering the test and the interview process. A committee of about 8 students interviews the candidates to determine if they will be eligible to be on the final ballot for their office. It is a tough interview and the students on the committee give each candidate a fair evaluation of their performance. Seeing both the candidates and the committee members, who are all students, acting so maturely strengthens my faith in the future of our country.

            I came home riding on the clouds. I shared the evening and my special day with my wife. I had plans to retire early after such a full day. I took a moment to check my social media, only to discover that a former student had posted that he had said good-bye to his cousin. I became alarmed because I taught his cousin earlier in my career. I desperately looked through the posts for some confirmation about the meaning of his post. Sadly, I discovered that his cousin, my former student Chad Winebarger, had passed away. My heart was broken! I wrote a note expressing my sorrow to my former student.

            Chad and his cousin Ike were both in my class at Elkin High School. They were active members in my DECA Club and competed in competitions.  Chad, Ike, and four of their friends made it to the National Competition in Denver, Colorado. My wife and I chaperoned these six guys on one of the best trips I have ever taken.

            The six guys pulled a number of great pranks on my wife and me. They gave us memories for a lifetime. They were the most respectful & polite group of guys, who kept us laughing the whole trip. They all won proficiencies at the National competition.

            Chad was a tennis star in high school who continued his winning streak in college. He was a smart and respectful young man. He went on to become an attorney in Charlotte, fighting for people who had been hurt on their jobs. He was a young man of strong moral character. He leaves behind a wife, two children, a loving family, and at least one proud teacher.

            My supervisor asked me if I would do the presentation I mentioned earlier for our evening precollege students. I hit on two things heavily: character and kindness. When we consider our legacy and how people will remember us, people will remember how we treated them. People will remember the way we acted and our behavior. They will remember if our words were kind and filled with compassion and understanding. People never forget those who are kind and generous. Generosity can include our money, our kind choice of words, our time, our attention, which includes listening, and our warm smile.

            I want to encourage you to live each day as if it were your last. Treat people in your life with love and dignity. Make sure your family and friends know how much you love and appreciate them. Remember that kindness is worth more than money. I want to be remembered as someone who cared about the people in my life and that people knew that I was there for them. If the world had more Chad Winebargers, more DECA State officers, more people who were filled with love and kindness it would be a wonderful world. Rest in peace, Chad.

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

By Doug Creamer

            I sat outside and ate my lunch today. A week ago we had snow on the ground. I have heard it said so many times, if you don’t like the weather in NC then give it a couple of days and things will change. The only time I don’t think that is true is during summer. We can have some long streaks of hazy, hot, and humid weather.

            I enjoyed last week’s snow. My fellow snow-lovers got to enjoy watching it fall on two different days. Others were glad at how quickly it was gone. I went out for two walks while it was snowing. One of the things I love is how peaceful it is when it is snowing. The snow muffles sound and creates a beautiful bubble of peacefulness.

            The truth is my plate was feeling a bit full the last couple of weeks. I was constantly watching the storm’s progress on the weather models. I was preparing for some speaking engagements in the community. I was trying to get extra things done around the house. I wasn’t getting proper rest or exercise. I was beginning to feel a little anxious. 

            Being enveloped in the peacefulness of that snowfall calmed my mind and spirit. I was so happy to see the snow. My friends and family were checking with me to make sure it was snowing at my house. My joy was overflowing. The snow reduced my anxiousness and helped to restore my peace.

            I took some pictures of the snow. I loved seeing the flowers poking through the snow. Our daffodils weren’t blooming in the snow, but they sure are putting on a show today. I have some other spring bulbs that are budding. The pansies and violas look great. I guess I am feeling torn by the desire to see more snow and the hope of watching spring unfold and bring its beauty. I know most people are looking forward to spring.

            I have been thinking about the peacefulness I experienced walking in the snow. We live in a loud world. Cars and trucks are humming down the road. There is the sound of lawn mowers and leaf blowers. There were some chainsaws running in our community after the recent storms. There always seems to be noise and distractions. On top of everything else, our thoughts can clamber for attention, disturbing our peacefulness.

            I find myself hungry for the peace that surpasses all understanding. The troubles and problems of this world ebb and flow in our lives like the waves on the shore. When a wave of problems rolls in what do we do? We can all feel overwhelmed by life’s problems. We can even find ourselves wondering where this elusive peace can be found.

            I believe part of the problem is that we are looking to ourselves to solve life’s problems. While God does expect us to deal with life’s issues, He wants us to look to Him for wisdom and guidance. This is where it gets sticky. We have to learn to trust Him. His solutions are not the way we would handle them. His ways are not our ways. The peace we are looking for will only come when we are willing to lay down our ways and walk in His.

            Our lives are His. Our homes are His. Our cars are His. Our kids are His. Our church is His. Our jobs have been assigned to us by Him. All our money is His. When we begin to see that everything in our lives, including our schedules, belongs to Him then we can turn all those things over to Him. He will direct us. He will guide us. He will watch over us. He will help us find peace even when circumstances seem impossible because we can trust that He is in control.

            If you find yourself lacking peace of mind, I want to encourage you to run to Him, seek His face, and give everything to Him. We can live in peace in spite of our circumstances if we will trust Him with every area of our lives. Don’t think that I have this mastered, I find myself struggling too. I want to live in His peace, but I find the world crowding in. The peacefulness I experienced while walking in the snow stirred this desire in me that I know He will satisfy. When we choose to walk with Him and follow His leading we will discover His peace. In the good times and when problems are rolling in, we can live in His perfect peace.  

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

By Doug Creamer

                There have been a number of people I know who have been suffering from flu, RSV, or Covid. I have also heard people coughing in stores. I find myself wondering, “are you contagious?” I don’t want to get sick. I don’t have two weeks of my life to spend in bed getting over whatever it is that someone else is dealing with right now. I try to be careful and wash my hands and stay away from people who appear to be fighting some kind of illness.

                I struggle all year long with allergies, which are different from being sick. I don’t need to add sickness to my allergies. I went for my semi-annual check up with my doctor the other day. There was a woman in the waiting area who appeared to be sick. Another woman came out of the office who was obviously sick. The woman in the waiting area asked, “Have you got it, too?” I thought about what I observed. Both women, who knew they were sick, were considerate enough to have been wearing masks to protect others from whatever infectious thing they had.

                When I was a kid chickenpox was making the rounds. At the time, doctors told parents to expose their other children and go ahead and get it over with in their household. It is very contagious and kids passed it around like candy. We know now that was not a good idea because the chickenpox virus is what can cause us to get shingles later in life. Thanks, Doc!

                Our knowledge about infectious viruses grows as time moves on. We do the best we can with the knowledge we have at the time. We hope that most people will be considerate of others when they are contagious to stay home and try to get better before being around others and sharing their germs.

                The idea of being infectious or contagious has been tumbling around in my mind. I have been wondering if we have the kind of faith that is infectious or contagious. Do we live our lives in such a way that those around us could “catch it?” Are we living so others are attracted to our faith?

                The Bible tells us to be ready in season and out of season to give the reason for our hope. Our hope comes through our faith in God. We have a relationship with the living God and we can’t stop talking about it. Have you ever been around a newlywed couple? They can’t keep their hands off each other. They look like their eyes are glazed over. No one in the world exists besides their new spouse. That’s how it should be with our faith in God. Sickeningly contagious!

                I understand the reality of life. We all walk through trials and difficulties, but does that have to keep us from having a contagious faith? Imagine Paul and Silas; they are beaten and whipped, then put in a dungeon with their feet in stocks. They are hurting physically without pain meds. What do they do? They pray and sing hymns to God. WHAT? Guess what happens. The jailer and his entire family came to believe in Jesus. Why? Because in spite of unbearable circumstances their faith in God shone brightly. It was desirable to the jailer. He wanted what they had!

                When we find ourselves in the middle of difficulties we can’t walk around defeated. We can acknowledge the facts but we need to express our faith in God who we know and believe will come through for us. That kind of faith is contagious. It’s easy to have faith when everything is going great, but can we express our faith in God when things are not going our way? Do we believe that He can work all things out for us in a favorable way? When the doctor report isn’t great or circumstances are challenging us at every turn, can we and do we depend on God to help us overcome our circumstances?

                I want to encourage you to remember that God is on your side. He sees your problems and difficulties and knows the path to a better place. I know you trust Him because He has come through for you in the past. Express your faith in Him for your current situation because He will be faithful to you. When we can live expressing our faith during the trials of life we will have a contagious faith. We will have the kind of faith that others desire for themselves. The world around us needs to be infected; are you contagious? 

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

By Doug Creamer

Since I retired I have attended many funerals. Friends and several church members have gone home to be with the Lord. Being retired gives me the opportunity to be there for my friends and family during their time of need. I never know what to say to the family other than I am sorry for their loss. 

I went to a funeral this week for my Sunday school teacher’s husband. I have been to their home several times as they hosted Christmas parties for our class. He always made me feel so welcome to their home. He served in many different diplomatic positions for our government here at home and abroad. He and his wife have served and traveled to many nations around the world.

His experience gave him a great understanding of politics. He personally knew many politicians, and served in multiple administrations including President Ford’s administration. He had insights about where our country is and where we are going. I enjoyed the opportunities to talk with him and get his perspective on current events, issues, and politics. He was a man who had great insight into how our country works and I know he will be greatly missed.  

I think funerals can be very insightful. I love to hear the speakers as they share stories and reflect on the individual being honored. It’s okay to laugh at a funeral if someone shares a humorous story. It’s good to share the pain of the family as they deal with the loss of their loved one. Today my heart was moved by the passionate singing of an old friend who has the voice of an angel.

It’s hard to understand the impact your presence brings at funerals for the family who is struggling with their loss. While I am a writer and I work with words all the time, I struggle to find the right words of comfort to offer families who have lost loved ones. I have come to understand that words are not necessary, it’s the love and support we bring that makes all the difference. I am always glad that I went to the funeral so the family knows my heart is with them. Someday we are all going to find ourselves standing in their place and we will be glad when others show up for us.

When it comes down to it, it’s not just funerals when we find ourselves in need of people’s love and support. We might be struggling with depression, anxiety, health issues, loss of a job, or some other difficult situations where we need our brothers and sisters in Christ to stand with us. God did not intend for us to make our life’s journey alone. We were created to be together, to come together, to stand together, and sometimes to sit and cry together as we experience the challenges life brings our way.

I like praying alone and with others. When we pray, we hope God will intervene in our situation and keep us from having to walk through the trials and challenges of life. I have witnessed firsthand how God can heal and deliver someone. What a great celebration that brings when we see God’s miraculous hand at work in our lives.

But what happens when God doesn’t move, doesn’t heal, or doesn’t deliver us? We are forced to go THROUGH the challenge. We don’t want to go through, we want to be delivered. Sometimes when we go through we learn so much about God and His incredible love for us. It also reveals the depth of love and support from our spiritual families, which means so much.

That’s what being there is all about. I need you during my challenging times to be there encouraging and challenging me to press on, to keep going, to not give up, to believe God’s promises are for me, and to trust Him when I can’t feel or see Him. Your presence with me can give me the courage to take the next step, to keep moving forward when I want to give up.

I want to encourage you to be there for the people in your life when they are facing difficult and challenging times. I need you and you need me to be there for each other. Your experiences with God can help others who are facing the same challenges you have lived through. Be there. Share your story of hope. Pray and encourage those in need. Let’s take each other’s hand and be there to help each other through life’s challenges. We are not alone and we will get through this thing together.  Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

            I was out walking the other day thinking about my Sunday school lesson. I wanted to teach about the importance of having a closer walk with God. I started to hum while I was enjoying the beautiful day. After having such a cold spell, it was nice to enjoy some warmer weather. The humming led me to question what song was running through my mind.

            “Just a closer walk with thee…” The words to an old hymn were tumbling around in my head. The refrain from that song was definitely going into my Sunday school lesson. I am still humming that song. I wonder if it is just a really good song or something that we all desire.

            If we truly desire a closer walk with God, then who has to change to make it happen? Has God pulled away from us or have we pulled away from Him? God made a way for us to have a relationship with Him through Jesus His Son. The invitation is available to every human being to have a closer walk with God. This leads to a tough question: If He is available and made the way for us to develop a closer relationship with Him, why don’t we all have a close relationship with Him?

            The choice and responsibility for a closer walk falls on us. God has done His part, now it is up to us. What is keeping us from having a closer walk with Him? My pastor mentioned a few weeks ago that everyone is given the same amount of time, the same 24 hours in a day. We choose how we will spend that time. The difference between someone with a close walk with God and someone who is distant from Him is how each person chooses to spend their time. The song says, “Just a closer walk with thee, grant it Jesus is my plea…” It seems that God has granted it, we just aren’t drawing closer to Him. 

            Each of us must look at how we spend our time. Many years ago I was trying to drive a point home to my students that they had time to pursue interests in their lives if they were willing to give up something else. When I said that to my students I heard God whisper in my spirit, “You have this desire to write, could you give up watching some TV so you can do it?” His question took my breath away in front of my students.

            I pondered that question for several days until I made a decision. It was a small but difficult sacrifice to give up watching shows I liked to pursue my dream to write. That was over 30 years ago and I am so glad I made that choice. I enjoy the creative process of writing my weekly column and wish I could find the time to write more books that are swirling in my head.   We’re all busy, even overwhelmed; how do we add more of God to our lives? Some people’s lives are filled with being a caregiver to children or their aging parents. Some people are like my current students who are going to school, working, and trying to be there for their family. Some people have demanding jobs or are overwhelmed by the challenges of everyday life. There aren’t enough hours in a day to get it all done. Believe me; I understand every one of those and many other situations.

            The question still lingers: do we want a closer walk with Him? How can we make room for Him? How can we change? What can we do to invite Him in more? Could we give up some of our social media time? Could we watch a little less TV? Could we turn off the music for just a little while and make room for Him? Could we say a prayer while we are waiting for the light to turn green? Can we invite God with us while we exercise? Can we choose to talk with Him while we wash the dishes or fold the laundry?

            I want to encourage you to consider how you might make room for God in your life. We want a closer walk with Him and He is waiting for us to invite Him into our daily routines. It will be tough because the enemy to your soul will do everything to stop you from getting closer to God, but it will be a change that you will be glad you made. How do I know that? Because you will have a closer walk with Him!

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

By Doug Creamer

            I love my part-time job helping students earn their high school equivalency. We have students from all kinds of different backgrounds who are finding success in our program. My boss believes in a teamwork approach to accomplish our goals. Most days after we finish teaching my colleague and boss will discuss our students and how they are doing. We will share ideas on how to help our students move along and discover success.

            One of the most important keys is being committed. Students who engage in class and at home will find success. Simple things like reviewing notes, doing some homework, practicing skills, and reading on their own helps them find success. Commitment means you will be present in class and engaged with the lesson. Success comes when students apply themselves.

            Don’t think there won’t be any bumps, falls, or failures along the way. Failing does not mean you are a failure. Using the data from a failed attempt can guide a student to success. It is hard when a student hits a hiccup along the way. We are there to help them up, help brush them off, and then help them discover what they need to succeed. Students can’t taste the sweetness of success if they stay on the ground. Success requires getting up and moving forward. I know because I have seen it!

            Success is available to everyone. I told my students the other day that a brick wall is not meant to stop them, it is there to determine how bad they want it. Success costs you something. Some students make a decision: I am going to be done by this date. I have seen over and over again most students are done by that date or very soon afterwards. There is nothing like the joy we feel when students cross the finish line…both students and teachers! Success also breeds success. When one student crosses the line others want to join them in their success.

            The same keys can apply to our spiritual lives. Spiritual growth requires effort. You can’t grow muscles if you don’t lift weights. You have to do the work if you want to find success. If all you do is go to church on Sunday and never say a prayer or read your Bible from one Sunday until the next, how can you expect to grow? Growth and change in your spiritual life requires effort. The question becomes, how devoted are you to seeing spiritual growth in your life?

            If you want to taste success, you are going to have to work at it. The first step is to realize that you are in a relationship with the living God. Any good relationship requires time and effort. If you never speak to your spouse, you won’t be married for long. Connecting with God requires the effort of prayer and listening. Listening requires finding a quiet place where you can hear Him because He speaks to you in a whisper.

            Did you exchange love letters when you were dating? I remember getting letters from my sweetheart and reading them over and over again. If we applied that enthusiasm to reading God’s Word, His love letter to us, imagine the growth and success we would achieve in our spiritual lives. How are you going to learn about God if you don’t read the Good Book? It’s filled with His promises to you. He expressed His love for you. He has solutions for your problems hidden in His Word. The only way to grow your faith and your relationship with God is by being in His Word.

            I think another important key is being in fellowship with other believers. The Christian walk is difficult and we need each other to make it to the end. We will all fall down and even fail in our walks at times. That’s when it is critical to lean on each other to lift each other up when we fall or even fail. Giving comfort, grace, and love to each other is a vital role we all play.

            I want to encourage you to take the steps to grow your faith in God. Connect with one another so you can encourage each other. Read and even memorize God’s Word so you will know His promises to you and learn to depend on them and Him. Have a conversation with God, which means you pray and listen. God really does talk with us if we will listen. Taking these steps will help you build your faith and trust in God and lead you to a successful Christian walk.   

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

By Doug Creamer

            I looked out the window at a sunny, beautiful day. Then I opened the front door and felt the breezy, freezing air and closed the door. This will be a week that I will enjoy from inside my warm house. I enjoy being outside as much as possible, but with the extreme cold I will find some things that need doing inside. I am not even sure I will attempt to go for a walk this week as temperatures are expected to be below freezing for most of the week.

            I don’t like hot and humid weather or breezy and cold weather. The only really good part about cold weather is the possibility of snow. It is easy to be lazy when it’s cold. I can scroll social media, watch some TV, or curl up with a good book. The hours pass and very little gets accomplished. The problem with trying to tackle inside projects is that it usually involves cleaning out something. When you clean out a cabinet or closet you have to throw things away. Therein lies the problem. I am sentimental. It’s hard to give up stuff. I took a carload to Goodwill before Christmas and really should do it again.  

            When things are neat, clean, tidy, and organized it feels good. The problem lies with the process. If you decide to start with this closet then you will need to work on that closet too because some of these things need to be in that closet. The result is a huge mess because everything will be pulled out and then we are back to making decisions about what stays and what goes and those decisions feel impossible. You always need that thing you got rid of two weeks ago!

            So you close the closet doors and find something else to do. It seems easier to pretend the problem doesn’t exist than to find the energy to work through the mess and make the tough decisions about what to keep and what to let go.

These same principles apply to our spiritual lives. There are habits, attitudes, and things that need our attention and need changing but the work required causes us to close the doors and move on unchanged. We all carry spiritual baggage that we need to eject from our lives. We carry past hurts, brokenness, failures, disappointments, disillusionment, anxieties, distrust, and a bunch of other things. The solution is to carry all these things to Jesus because He cares deeply for each one of us and wants to lift those burdens off our lives. The trouble is that it takes time and we have to open those closet doors up for Jesus. It’s a mess and we would rather pretend those things don’t exist, so we end up carrying this heavy load that God never intended for us to carry.

            Jesus came to heal us from our hurts and brokenness. He knows all the ways we have been disillusioned and disappointed by people and He wants us to know that we can trust Him. He knows all the anxieties and fears we face and He wants us to know that He holds our future and everything about our lives in His hands. There is no failure that He can’t redeem.

            Can you imagine what life would be like if you didn’t have to carry all the mess around? Why do we try to find ways to repay God for our sins? Jesus already paid that price for us. All we have to do is accept His free gift of forgiveness. Salvation is a free gift open for anyone who will receive it. We need to bring Jesus to the mess hidden in the closets of our lives and allow Him to help us clean it out. He wants to clean out all the mess and have a beautiful place where He can store our testimony to His goodness. Our story of His forgiveness. Our faith in His guidance. Our hope in the future He has planned for us. Our peace that surpasses understanding. Our joy at the wonder of what God can do with our brokenness.

            I want to encourage you to open your closet doors to your Heavenly Father, who is in the business of cleaning up messes. It takes time, energy, and faith to open those doors. God is compassionate and loving. He doesn’t want you to carry all that stuff around. Let Him lift the burdens off your shoulders so you can walk free as He intended. Let His love and joy clean and clear your heart so you can walk in His peace.  

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