Doug’s Columns

By Doug Creamer

Memories

            Many years ago when I was a young teenager, my sister worked as a lifeguard for the National Park Service near Nags Head. I think she did it for a couple of summers. My family would rent a cottage in Nags Head for a week and we would spend time on the beach with my sister as our lifeguard. It was a great week and we had some great family time together.

            My sister was living in a trailer provided for the workers in the National Park Service. One time she invited me to come down and stay with her while her roommate was away. I couldn’t believe my luck. My sister made it a very special time together. I was staying at the beach, who could ask for anything more?

            One night my sister said we were going to get up in the middle of the night and go outside to watch a meteor shower. I thought she was crazy. But she woke me up and we went out and lay on the picnic table and watched the sky. The first thing that caught my attention was how many stars were visible. I don’t remember ever having seen that many stars before. We could also see the Milky Way, which was incredible.

            We talked, watched the sky, and saw many meteors that night. There was one I will never forget, right over our heads. It was a brilliant, bright meteor. We looked up about thirty seconds later and could still see the smoke floating in the sky. We have talked about that night watching the meteors many times over the years.

            There are several times a year that we will get meteor showers. I will almost always go out and see how many shooting stars I can see. I have seen some great shows over the years, but nothing compares to that night with my sister.

            I went out several evenings over the past week to watch for a meteor shower. It’s quiet in my neighborhood late at night. The peacefulness snuggled into my soul. I watched the night sky hoping to catch a glimpse of a shooting star, and I wasn’t disappointed.

            What I found on my trips outside was not the excitement of catching a shooting star but the satisfaction of finding a few quiet moments. I made myself slow down and take some deep breaths. It’s been a bit crazy lately trying to do life, deal with a few minor health issues, and trying to navigate my emotions over the loss of my father. In the stillness I sighed a few quiet prayers and talked with my Heavenly Father.

            It’s hard to find peace in some moments of life. Revisiting great memories with my sister helped. There have been times of insomnia in recent weeks and I find myself revisiting other memories with my family. Some of the stories I wrote about in last week’s column, others are more for our family. I have tried to remember good times spent together and moments of laughter and cheer. The memories bring a sense of comfort, familiarity, and peace…like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s night.

            Some friends have reached out and offered comfort and words of encouragement, which have been much appreciated. Some have shared their path through this process. While it is comforting and helpful to hear the stories, I am learning a new lesson. I think that this path is one that I must create on my own. I must sort through the memories and learn to cherish the good ones and forgive for those that aren’t so good. I have to learn to let go of the pain and find the peace and comfort that only my Heavenly Father can bring. These are not easy lessons and I am figuring out that this process is going to take some time.

            I want to encourage you if you find yourself on a similar path as me to open the boxes of memories, sort them, discard those that are filled with pain, and cherish the ones that bring joy. It’s good to review the good ones, like watching reruns of your favorite TV shows. Give the bad ones to Jesus and ask Him for peace in return. Allow the Holy Spirit to do His job as the comforter. Spend some time with your Father talking things through and allow Him to lead you down the path. Trust Him because He knows the way. He is the Way, the Truth, and He offers you the Life filled with His presence and peace.

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

By Doug Creamer

Dad Creamer

            The last two weeks have been quite long. Two weeks ago on a Monday evening my brother called to tell me that my Dad had had two strokes and things were not looking good. The hospital spent several days running extensive tests on him, which provided evidence that he was not going to recover. It was decided mid-week to move him to hospice care, and he passed on last Monday.

            My dad was always very athletic. He played baseball and basketball when he was in high school. He played tennis, racquetball, and golf in his adult life. He enjoyed running, walking, and riding his bike. He also enjoyed watching sports on TV. He was an avid Red Sox fan. My brother and I took him to Atlanta to see the Red Sox play the Braves, a memory I will treasure.  By far, my Dad’s favorite sport to watch was golf.

            When I was a kid we had a professional golf tournament come to the course that was in our backyard. Dad was a Marshall and my brother and I set up a soda stand. One exciting moment from the tournament came when one of the golfers hit his ball along the edge of the woods and my black cat ran out and lay on his ball. We panicked, but the golfer was good natured and picked up our cat and petted it.

            My favorite memory of golf is when the country club was having a father/son tournament. Dad had to play twice. He and my brother were in the running to win a trophy but they came up a little short. My Dad and I were surprised when we won a second place trophy. I remind my brother about it as often as possible.

            One of my Dad’s favorite golfing memories came when I was a kid. We would often go out after dinner and look for golf balls. Then we would chip and putt around the greens. One evening a neighbor was walking with us and I wanted to show them how good I could hit the ball. They were engrossed in a conversation and not paying attention. I finally got their attention and gave it my biggest swing. I twirled around twice and fell on my bottom. The two of them laughed so hard, but they did try to comfort me. I can now look back and laugh.

            Professionally, my Dad climbed the corporate ladder. I used to tease him that he would mail new resumes out on the first day of his new job. At one point he was a vice-president of a car company, at another point he franchised a pizza chain – Milton’s Pizza. No pizza could compare. My Dad worked into his 80’s, even being an Uber driver. He was a man of integrity on his job and I admired him for it.

            If you ever met my Dad you know he liked to talk about politics. He liked to find out where you stood on an issue and he would always take the opposing view. I asked him once why he would argue with someone who held his point of view. He said that he would attack the weaknesses in what he believed and see how the person defended their position. He said he could learn a lot on how to build a stronger position.

            My Dad always liked to meet new people from different places. He treated everyone with dignity and respect. He enjoyed learning about them and their culture. He taught me that everyone should be treated equally. It didn’t matter what gender, race, national origin, religion, or any other difference there might be between us, we should treat people with kindness and listen to what they think. My Dad hired Iranian college students in the early 80’s when no one else would give them a chance. He invited people of different ethnic backgrounds into our home at a time when society was more segregated. I learned a lot about how to treat people fairly from my Dad.  

            My Dad really enjoyed the lessons of a university professor who taught Sunday school classes for a few churches in Greensboro. He would find out where she was teaching and show up for Sunday school. She said he would ask questions in class and often emailed additional questions to her through the week. She told me that she will miss him walking her to her car after class. She will be speaking at his Memorial Service. My Dad’s curiosity, questioning, and debating invaded all areas of his life. I hope I will carry on his curiosity for life, his kindness and respect for others, and his work ethic in all that I do. He will be missed.

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

By Doug Creamer

Back to School

            It is time for students to head back to school. I remember as a kid that the first day of school was the day after Labor Day and the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Sadly, Jerry Lewis has passed away. Many of today’s youth have no idea of what a wonderful thing he did each year for Muscular Dystrophy. When I was growing up, we used to watch parts of his marathon show every year, mainly to see all the stars who would stop by and offer their support.

            The next day was always the first day of school. Did your Mom make you take first day of school pictures? We always got some new clothes for the first day of school. We would stand on our front steps and hope our mother would include our heads in the picture. Most years we had good first day of school pictures.

            Then it was off to the bus stop, where eight to ten kids gathered. Buses did not stop at every kid’s house. We had to walk to specific places and wait. On rainy days, the mother closest to the stop would open her garage door and we waited there for the bus. On cold winter days, we just stood out there and froze. Things have really changed.  

            Today, many parents or grandparents drop off and pick up their children from school. Naturally, many of the high school students drive themselves to school. I remember driving to school. There was a church in front of our school that allowed students to get parking permits. I always chose to park my car down there. It was just about a block walk and much better for getting in and out of school.

            Regardless of how kids arrive, it is time to crank back up and begin the process of educating students once again. At the community college, we work year around. We have a nice break around the 4^th of July and a great break at Christmas. I can relate to back to school a little as we just got a new batch of students a couple of weeks ago. When we start over with a new group there is lots of planning that goes into preparing for the new group of students. For 34 years I worked hard to make my classroom inviting and welcoming to students.

            The real power to affect and change a student’s destiny doesn’t come through inspiring speakers, quotes, Power Points, or all the good planning that teachers will do. The real power comes through prayer. I have always prayed for schools, teachers, staff, and administrators. I want to encourage you to join me in praying for our school systems, including colleges. Your prayers can and will make the difference in whether the schools in your area will have a successful school year or one where teachers fail to reach students and change lives.

            I believe in education. I believe teachers can help students understand the past so we won’t repeat the same mistakes again. I believe teachers can help students realize that math is vital to surviving in our society. I believe teachers can inspire minds to imagine where technology can take us. I believe teachers can help students discover the exciting world of science and how good health is within their reach. I believe teachers can help students discover outstanding writers who will take students on wild adventures. Every occupation in the world requires teachers to lead the way.

            So I petition and ask you once again for your prayers. Your prayers can help students focus on learning. Your prayers can help to keep our schools safe. Your prayers can open students’ eyes to possibilities they never imagined. Your prayers and encouragement will keep students in school and engaged in the learning process. Your prayers will strengthen teachers as we endeavor to impart our knowledge. Your prayers make a difference.

            I want to encourage you to pray for everyone in your educational system. Pray for the bus drivers and cafeteria workers all the way up to the superintendent. Pray for your kids, the neighborhood kids, your grandkids, for all the students who will be returning to schools…including private and home-schoolers. Teachers need your prayers if we hope to have a positive influence on the students who will fill our classrooms. I love being a teacher and the opportunity it gives me to influence lives. Let’s all hope and pray it will be a great year!

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

Personal note: My Dad passed away and I wanted to share his obit with you….

Dennis Joseph Creamer

November 22, 1932 to August 5, 2025

Dennis was a man with a slow smile who liked to debate the tough questions in life.  He found many amazing people that would tolerate his persistence.

Dennis was an Army veteran that served in Korea.  He was deeply moved by the respect that he was shown as a veteran  when he took the Triad Honor Flight to Washington DC.

Having worked ever since he was a young boy delivering papers to the neighbors in Scranton, working his way up in the auto industry, and going into business for himself; Dennis was not prepared to give up meaningful employment when he retired from Nypro Carolina and just play golf. He enjoyed a variety of second careers that allowed time for golf and travel; bus driver and then Head of Transportation at Greensboro Day, Uber Driver and Valet car parker at the airport. He enjoyed traveling and experiencing new places.  Morocco, Moscow and Leningrad Russia (in the winter), Mexico, Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, New England and a Holiday Tours Bus trip all the way to Deadwood, South Dakota and back. His favorite trip was to Boston where he saw his beloved Red Sox play two games in Fenway Park. He also enjoyed cruising and people-watching on the ships. One of the special cruises was around Cape Horn from Chile to Argentina and another included Canada, Labrador, Greenland, Iceland and Norway. He also cruised the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Seas and traversed the Panama Canal. During one trip he and Linda snuck on the famed Pebble Beach golf course.  When he wasn’t working or traveling, you could find him playing Senior golf at Iron Play and kibbitzing with his buddies.  He managed to hit a hole in one at the age of 90. Retirement turned out to be enjoyable.

Dennis is survived by his beautiful partner Linda Branch, children Denise (Tucker) Ritner, Dennis (Beth) Creamer, Doug (Marissa) Creamer, and Deborah (Jon) Hall, 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday August 24 at 1:00 pm at Hanes Lineberry 515 N Elm Street, Greensboro, NC.  If you plan to attend the service, come prepared to explain why.

In lieu of flowers or gifts please consider a donation to Triad Honor Flight https://www.triadhonorflight.org/donate/

By Doug Creamer

A Second Harvest

            How are you holding up with all this heat? Maybe by the time you read my column the heat wave will have broken. It’s so hot! Where I live, we have had very little rain to help trees, plants, and gardens. I have been watering regularly trying to keep everything alive. It’s been an uphill battle.

            I looked out the window at the vegetable garden and realized that I had an empty bed. I had harvested my potatoes – a good crop this year – and that space was available to plant. I didn’t want to go out and do it in the heat. BUT I do want a fall harvest. The only way to get a fall harvest is to plant things now. I made myself go out and get the bed ready for planting one evening and then went out another evening and planted some seeds.

            Another area of the garden will finish up in a couple of weeks and I am planning what I will put in that spot, too. Most people work to get their first tomatoes in by the 4^th of July, but I was running late with my garden this year. I am hoping for my first tomato soon. I have eaten a few cherry tomatoes, but I can’t wait for a real one. I have enjoyed some tomatoes from a local farmer, but there is nothing like growing your own.

            We’ve had some successes and struggles with the garden this year. I am hoping for a second harvest. It is hard to imagine that the first frost will arrive in about 12 weeks, especially when we will probably hit 100 today. Picking the right vegetables and getting them started soon is critical if I want to get more from my garden.

            Last year we had a big harvest of green beans and butter beans in the fall. This year I haven’t had a green bean yet. Last year I got some late cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash. I am going to keep trying, keep pushing my luck against Mother Nature. It seems our first frost has been running later and later the last few years, so I am hopeful that I will get a harvest this year, too. I remember having to take some sheets out to cover things last year to protect my vegetables from frost.

            A second harvest requires hot, sweaty work. I have been sharing my harvest with the critters, but I believe I have gotten a bigger portion this year. In order to continue our harvest into the fall, I have to get out there in the heat and do the necessary work of cleaning out the weeds, preparing the seed bed, and planting the seeds.

            If we want to see the harvest of souls, it is going to require the same type of effort. Think of the world or those who have no relationship with God as an untamed garden bed. Someone has to clear out the weeds. Many people live in the world and pay no attention to spiritual matters. Their guide is worldly standards. Their measure of success comes from the value of the bank account. They look to social media for approval. These weeds need to be cleared away. We have to help them see their need for God and biblical standards.

            We help to prepare their hearts by expressing God’s love for them. We help them see that God has a purpose and a plan for their lives. We also help them see the error of their ways. But more than our words, we live our lives in front of them as an example. We show them by our choices, faith, and hope that there is a better way to live their lives. Once their hearts are ready, we can share the love of Jesus with them.

            Do you have family, friends, and neighbors who are lost and in need of a savior? I want to encourage you to ask God to help you be a weed puller, soil prepper, seed planter, the one who waters, or the one who harvests the lost soul. He will show you how. He can and will use you to share your faith in Christ with them. We never know how much time we have here on earth, but when that time is up we will have to stand before God. Make yourself available to share the Good News. The goal is make a way for them to hear what we all want to hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant. Enter your master’s rest.” Pray and do what he tells you.

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

By Doug Creamer

A New Beginning

            We are quickly approaching the time when students will be returning to the classroom. It is hard to imagine that summer vacation is coming to a close. Please pray for teachers and all the staff that work at the schools. They care for and nurture our children. Ask God to work through them as they raise up the next generation.

            A new school year means it is a new beginning. Last year’s successes and failures are gone and students begin with a clean slate. Teachers have had time to rest and recuperate and the challenge of a new year with a new group of students is set before them. Pray that our schools will be safe for the children and that they will have the equipment and supplies they need to grow and expand their minds.

            Today was my first day with new students at the community college. It is always exciting to meet my new students and begin to help them discover their potential. We had a good first day meeting each other and starting to get their minds working and thinking. Hope and optimism are at their brightest as we begin our new journey together. I can’t wait to see what my new students will accomplish and help them take steps to success.

            The reality is that new beginnings require work for both the students and the teachers. There is lots of planning that goes into student success. It doesn’t just happen. Creating the right environment and encouraging the right attitudes are big contributors to success. But all the planning and enthusiasm on the teachers’ side is not enough for success. Students need to bring the right attitude and effort to the table. They also need a good support system at home to help them take the necessary steps.   

            The same thing is required to help a believer begin their walk with Christ. They need help. Someone has to teach them and help them develop the spiritual disciplines that are needed to grow and mature in Christ. Some may say that those are the pastor’s responsibilities. That’s not entirely true. It takes all of us working together to help new believers begin their journey. Those of us who have been around for a while are called to encourage and support the new believers.

            Some people think that discipleship and training falls to the Sunday school teachers. While Sunday school classes can help with the basics of our faith, they can’t keep going over the basics every time a new believer comes along. Mature believers need to be encouraged and challenged in Sunday school classes, too.

            The problem with faith is that it is not a once and done thing. Faith is constantly evolving as we grow and mature in the Lord. In the beginning, new believers need spiritual milk. As we grow we need to move on to solid foods that help us grow and develop deep roots that will help us through the dry and challenging times.

            There is no retirement plans in the Kingdom of God. We are all expected to keep working at both growing and helping the younger ones in the faith. Older believers can bring wisdom and guidance to younger believers. This happens in many ways beyond Sunday school and church.  We need to be ready in season and out of season to help younger believers grow and develop their faith.  

            We are constantly encouraged in the Bible to pass on our faith. One of the effective ways of doing that is through building relationships, which takes time. We can do that through sharing meals, working on projects, or participating in small groups. Developing connections with other believers builds a deeper commitment to each other, the church, and the Lord. These opportunities open doors for us to speak into each other’s lives. 

            We all find ourselves in different places in our spiritual journeys. Sometimes we need to be encouraged and challenged, and other times we need to be the encourager and challenger. I want to encourage you to be in relationship with other believers, especially those who are new to the faith. If you are new to the faith, find some older believers that you can connect with and receive from to help you along on your new spiritual journey. If you are an older and experienced believer I encourage you to share your stories, your testimonies, with younger believers so they can develop strong roots that will help them through the storms of life. When you think about it, we are all in school, learning spiritual lessons that will help us grow and mature in Christ.

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

By Doug Creamer

            I looked out the window one morning thinking a squirrel was under the bird feeders. I pulled the curtain back for a closer look and discovered that it was not a squirrel but a raccoon. He was chowing down on the seeds that were on the ground but he had obviously been in the feeders, too. Both feeders were empty and I had recently filled them. I took a few pictures as proof of our morning visitor.

            My wife reminded me that we had raccoon problems many years ago. She described how the raccoons had learned to open a feeder with a pretty tough latch to get to the food. I didn’t remember the intruder from years ago. But the longer I thought about it, I do remember that we took that feeder down to get one that was more secure. It took a little more effort to jog the memory. There are many things that are tucked away up there.

            My parents both have good memories and can remember things from many years ago, but they will also tell you that some of the details are getting a little fuzzy. What they both have told me is that new memories are really difficult to remember. They can forget what they ate for dinner a few nights ago or if they have taken their medicine. It’s tough when their memory slips, but most of the time with a little prompt the memory will return.

            My wife and I have taken to writing notes for ourselves and each other. Honey do lists are helpful so I won’t forget what needs to get done. Keeping appointments and meetings written on calendars helps to keep us both straight. The side of my computer is covered in Post It notes to help me remember important things.

            I started to wonder how easy it might be to lose stories that are a part of our testimony. I believe there are certain encounters and experiences with God that will never fade away, but I wonder if others have slipped away unnoticed. What might seem significant in the moment could escape into the darkness of forgotten events.

            How do we keep from losing something significant in our lives? I think it is important that we share our stories. “I remember when God did this in my life.” “I remember a time when it looked like all was lost and then God came through for me.” God gives us these experiences not just to help us in the moment but to create in us a testimony to His goodness. It’s those testimonies that when shared with others can build faith that God will come through for us. It can also ignite a new faith and bring people into a relationship with God.

            When we are going through a tough time, it is important for us to review how God has come through for us in the past. By reminding ourselves we end up building our own faith. It reminds us that we can trust God in the hard times. It is easy to have faith in God when everything is going well; it is during the hard times that we need reminding.

             Most of us who attend church have taken communion. We eat the bread and drink the wine. Jesus told us to do it in remembrance of Him. We need to remind ourselves of the high price Jesus paid for us. He gave His life so we can have a relationship with God, our good, good Father. Jesus’ blood removes the stain of sin in our lives. God promises to forget ALL our sins. His body was whipped so our bodies can be made new. He paid for our healing. We must never forget what it cost Jesus and the Father for our salvation, forgiveness, healing, and deliverance.

            It is easy to forget things, especially as we grow older. I want to encourage you to remember all the ways God has blessed you. Think about the many times you felt Him close when you desperately needed Him. Remember the way the scriptures have come alive at critical moments and guided you through circumstances. Remember the price Jesus paid for YOU! God the Father and Jesus love you far more than you will ever believe. They want a relationship with you. It’s ALL up to you. You have to open your heart to them. It’s not too late! Today is the day of salvation. You will never forget the day you let them into your heart.

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

By Doug Creamer

Rescue Mission

            We’ve all seen the pictures and videos coming out of Texas of the flooding they have endured. It brings back memories of what the folks in our mountains went through last year. I have watched videos where people were miraculously saved and others that left me wondering if the people survived. In one, the house is picked up off its foundation and begins floating down the river and flashlights can be seen inside the moving house.

            The Piedmont of North Carolina experienced some flooding over the weekend due to the remnants of a tropical storm. I saw stories of many road closures and even the interstate was closed due to flooding. I saw pictures from that area that showed businesses and people’s homes under water.

            I watched some videos of swift water rescues. It is amazing to see those guys work together to reach someone who is trapped in a car or clinging to a tree. They work cautiously, deliberately, and bravely to help stranded people. I find myself cheering when I see them complete their mission.

            People aren’t the only ones being rescued; I have also seen pet rescues. I have the upmost respect for those who run towards danger in hopes of saving both people and pets. Swift water rescues look so dangerous.

            Some videos show guys going into flooded areas to rescue people who are trapped on the roofs of their homes. Some rescues look like they are being done by average guys, not the professionals. That made me think of some of the guys at my church who love to fish. Several of them own boats and I can easily imagine them using their boats to go rescue people who are sitting on their roofs. They would be out there helping in any way they could if we were in situations like those in Texas and the Piedmont of North Carolina.

            That got me to thinking about people who are in trouble spiritually. Some people have found themselves trapped in the middle of the storms of life and they are sitting on the roofs of their spiritual homes needing someone to rescue them. Some people are trapped by drugs or alcohol. They are looking for an escape because they are overwhelmed by life.  Others are trying to ease some pain in their lives.

            People who are trapped in drug and alcohol abuse are calling out to be rescued. They need someone who can lead them to Jesus so they can discover the healing, forgiveness, and restoration that only He can provide. The question becomes who is brave enough to share their faith with the people who are stuck living in the darkness.

            All of us know people who are lost spiritually. They don’t believe in God and only use His name in a profane way. When we die there are only two options: heaven or hell. If we understood what hell is going to be like with no love and eternal suffering, then we would be eager to reach out to the lost. If someone still has breath in their body, there is still hope. Can we find the bravery needed to share the love of God with the lost?

            I know and understand that reaching out to broken and lost people is difficult. Some will reject you. Some will curse you. Some will stop being your friend. The risk and price are high. But sometimes reaching out can be as simple as being kind. Can we love those who feel unlovable? I don’t think we have to shove the gospel down someone’s throat. We can live the gospel and be lights in the darkness. Allow them to be attracted to us and see that there is something different about us. It will require words, but it might begin with a warm smile, a helping hand, something good to eat, or just hanging out and listening.

            We all know people who need rescuing, so I want to encourage you to take the first step towards winning them to faith: pray for them. Pray and ask God what you can do to help win those who are lost. God knows what they need and He can reveal it to you. Be obedient to what God shows you even though it might be scary. Be kind; kindness is often irresistible. Imagine it this way: you own a boat and there are people sitting on the roofs of their houses crying out for someone to come and help them. Will you be brave enough to help? They will be eternally grateful for your courage. 

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

By Doug Creamer

Traveling

            We went to visit my wife’s family last week. Traveling has become increasingly more challenging. It seems harder to get ready to go anywhere. The excitement of going someplace doesn’t seem to counteract the hurdles required to get there. I used to enjoy the drive, but now there are some people who drive excessively fast with no regard for others. Defensive driving is a must if you hope to arrive safely.

            Being with my wife’s family always involves eating plenty of good food. I helped to wash the dishes while we were there. It seemed only fair after they worked hard to put nice meals on the table. There were lots of laughs and the sharing of our lives. It was nice to take life at a slower pace for a few days.

            While we were there, I was able to spend an afternoon at the beach with my sister. There was a storm close by that we thought might ruin our time together, but it rained itself out before getting to us. We talked for a couple of hours and caught up on our lives while sitting near and wading in the cooling water. I didn’t want to leave. She sent me off refreshed by our time together and time sitting on the beach.

            We arrived home late the other night, glad to see our own home and to sleep in our own bed. I like traveling and getting away from the routines of our daily lives. But I also like coming home to our house and enjoying the comforts of being in our space.

            Traveling can be a fun and enjoyable activity. It can also be challenging if you run into trouble. Storms, broken down cars, and accidents can all lead to traveling nightmares. No one wants those kinds of problems. I am always thankful when we arrive home safely.

In a spiritual sense, we are all on journeys that we hope will lead us safely to our eternal home in heaven. Our spiritual journey is not taken on a highway. I prefer to be on a multi-lane highway when I am traveling, that way I have options if things go wrong. If we hope to find an eternity with God at the end of our journey then we are going to have to travel on paths, not highways.

            The Bible clearly tells us that the way to heaven is found on a difficult path. The road to destruction and an eternity separated from God is wide and easy to travel. Most people find themselves on that road mainly because it is easy. You do what want and live the way you want. The path to heaven is filled with difficult choices living by biblical standards, which are contrary to the world standards. God expects us to live up to His ways.

            Your journey on this path begins by making the choice to ask Jesus to be your savior. It is the best decision you will ever make, but it is also a challenging choice. You are choosing to leave your old life behind and agreeing to go on an adventure with God. While it will be difficult, God will take you on a wonderful, unforgettable journey. You will find forgiveness, healing for your brokenness, restoration of your self-esteem, and fulfillment.

            God’s paths take you to places you never imagined. God will give you dreams and then the ability to fulfill those dreams. God will give you gifts and talents that will help to build His kingdom. He will show you the purpose for which you were created. Then you will need to apply faith to fulfill that purpose. He will change your destiny and make you a new person on both the inside and the outside. You will become the apple of His eye.

            It doesn’t matter if you are ten or a hundred; God has a plan, purpose, and destiny in mind for you. I want to encourage you to take the first step and invite Jesus into your life. Put your hand in God’s hand and let Him take you on an unbelievable journey that might seem impossible to you today. Get on God’s path. It’s tough, but oh, so worth it. He sees you. He loves you. He sees what you can and will become. He is excited to take you to your destiny. This world has nothing to offer compared to eternity with God in heaven. You can do it! It’s not too late! Come join me on the path that leads to the heart of God.

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

By Doug Creamer

Heat Wave!

            Do you like going to the beach? I do! I like walking the beach and allowing the waves to wash up around my feet. I also enjoy sitting close to the water and allowing the waves to rush up under my chair. The sound of the waves crashing onto the beach in such a rhythmic way helps to erase stress and clear the mind.

            Those are waves I like. I don’t like heat waves like the one we are enduring now. I think it is unusual to have a heat wave this early in the year. I have a few days off and was planning to get some work done outside. That’s not happening in this heat. My new plan is to enjoy plenty of ice cold drinks and the air conditioning. 

            What concerns me about this early heat wave is its impact on local farmers and small gardeners like me. How do we keep the fruits and vegetables alive in the extreme heat? I know we need to water, but the heat is hard on all the plants. I need to do some weeding in the garden but it’s too hot for that.

            The heat and humidity is draining on us. I was hoping to do some reading on my front porch, but that is not going to happen, either. I went for my walk the other day in the early evening. It was still warm but we have lots of trees in our neighborhood, which helped.

            We all know this will not be the only heat wave of the summer. I am hoping for a little cooler weather for our Fourth of July celebration. I guess summer heat is here to stay. The air temperature is not the only challenge we face in our lives. Many of us are feeling the heat in other ways, like struggles with relationships, finances, broken down cars, air conditioner repairs, health issues…and the list goes on. This kind of heat can challenge our faith.

            God wants our faith to grow and become strong. The only way for that to happen is for us to face challenges where we find ourselves dependent upon God to come through for us. I am not suggesting we purposefully put ourselves in difficult places to make God come through for us. Life will deliver plenty of challenges that will make us run to God to help us through our situation.

            The key word that I have been thinking about is the word through. We serve a God who wants to see us through life’s challenges. Naturally, we would all prefer God to move quickly and instantly. Who wouldn’t be excited when God heals someone? We all would love to see our problems instantly solved. Simple solutions. Easy every time!

            When we see God move in the miraculous it builds our faith in His mighty power. It builds our faith to go back the next time with an expectant heart that God will come through miraculously again. There are miracles that happen around us all the time and we need to tell those stories to build each other’s faith. We need to believe in His goodness and kindness for us and in His miraculous power.

The problem with the instant results is that there is no opportunity for our faith to grow through perseverance. Do you remember the parable about the widow who wearied the judge with her request? The judge gave in because of her perseverance. God wants to see us persevere in the same manner.

I believe that God sometimes chooses not to move miraculously because He wants to walk with us through our circumstance. He is the God who sees us through the fiery trial. He is the God who brings light into our darkest moments. He is the God of hope that can help us endure. He wants us to learn more about His character. He wants us to learn to trust Him when we can’t see our next step. He wants to build that child-like faith in us.

I want to encourage you in two ways today. First, I want to encourage you to believe in God’s miraculous power. He still does miracles and we need to pray and believe for them. Second, if you feel yourself struggling because God didn’t move miraculously for you, then know that God is going to see you through. He wants to take you into a deeper relationship with Him. He is drawing you closer. Challenges are opportunities to get to know God better. Heat in our lives gives us the opportunity to build faith in an awesome God. 

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