Doug’s Columns

By Doug Creamer

Thankful

            Fall chores can sure keep me busy. I worked on getting up the leaves in my yard over the weekend, but by Monday afternoon you would never know it. I know it will soon come to an end, but it can sure be frustrating to not feel any sense of accomplishment. There are still a number of other chores that need to be done before winter sets in. On top of that, it’s time to start decorating for Christmas.

            I was talking with a group of friends about when they begin decorating for the holidays and there is no consensus. While many people wait to put their tree up until after Thanksgiving, there are some who have their tree up and decorated already. My neighbors and I try to have our outside decorations up by the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I won’t start putting up our tree until at least the first weekend in December.

            This hectic rush towards Christmas bothers me because it feels like we are skipping Thanksgiving. There are Christmas movies playing on TV. There is Christmas music playing in the stores. Many people are laser focused on Christmas. I think it is important for us to slow down and give thanks to God for the many blessings in our lives.

            I’m thankful for the beautiful fall that we have enjoyed this year. We had that one cold shot that netted us a few snow flurries. Other than that, we have enjoyed some wonderful fall weather. The good weather has allowed me to get quite a bit of work done outside, which always feels great. I have also really enjoyed the beautiful fall foliage. 

            Giving thanks for the everyday stuff can help improve your outlook on life. Sometimes life gets hard and we lose focus on the good things that are happening around us every day. It’s easy to get distracted by the news or the political backbiting. Take a moment and look around you at all the ways God has blessed you. A thankful heart can change your perspective, especially in challenging times.

            Have you got a roof over your head? Do you have a bed to sleep in? Do you have food on your table? Do you have nice clothes to wear? There are people in Ukraine, Palestine, and Jamaica, just to name a few places, who don’t have these simple basics for life. Turn your heart to God right now and let him know how grateful you are for life’s basics.

            Have you thanked God for the people in your life? We never know how long anyone has on this earth. This is the first year we will celebrate Thanksgiving without my Dad. It gives me a deeper appreciation for my family. We should be thankful when we get the opportunity to spend time with the people who mean so much to us. It doesn’t matter if it’s family, neighbors, or friends. We should engage and enjoy every chance we get to be together.   

            Have you thanked God for your church family? I have been fortunate to have good church families all through my life. I love my church family. We have a great men’s group at my church. My church family has been and will be there for me when I face difficult times and I will be there for them too. We are blessed with a good pastor who truly shepherds our church family.

            While good food it is not the most important part of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the many delicious treats that I will be enjoying this Thanksgiving. The good food often stirs great memories of years gone by. I remember other gatherings and the efforts people made to come together through rain, snow, and ice to celebrate and share special times together. Holiday food traditions stir the warmth and the love that should fill our hearts with thanks.

            I want to encourage you to steal a few moments of quiet and thank the Lord for your many blessings. Good food, family, friends, a place to call home, and good health are all great places to begin your thanksgiving prayers. A thankful heart will change your perspective on whatever situation you find yourself in this year. Remember God is good in spite of your circumstances and that He has blessed you in so many ways. God painted me a beautiful sunset this evening that took my breath away while I was walking. Don’t let the world push you around. Take time to notice God’s goodness and faithfulness in your life and give Him thanks. Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings to you and your family!

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

By Doug Creamer

Turning 100

            We took a trip home to see my mother-in-law over the weekend. We had a nice drive up. While I was up there I got the chance to see my sister and her family. We enjoyed a long walk on a warm afternoon, which included a few moments standing out by the Chesapeake Bay. The water was almost like glass and the beauty of the day was captivating. The drive back to North Carolina was cold and windy and included snow flurries as we arrived home. It was a full weekend.

            If you met my mother-in-law you would never know she was 100. Her mother lived to be 107, so her genes must be good. The only hint of age comes from her using a walker, which only serves to steady her on her feet. In the kitchen, her favorite place, she doesn’t use the walker. Her face is smooth and free of wrinkles, though her eyes are a little weak after a hundred years of service. Conversations are pleasant when she wears her hearing aids, and her outlook on life seems positive, even though she worries about her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.

            I asked about her childhood and she told me that she lived through the Great Depression and World War II. She talked about the rationing and its impact on daily life. She grew up in Georgia where people like their tea to be sweet. The sugar rationing had a big impact on the sweet tea. She talked about growing up in a large family and the rationing of shoes meant that her father had to re-sole their shoes because they couldn’t get new pairs.  

            I asked about food during those difficult times. She said she grew up on a farm where they always had enough food to eat. She said they had chickens, cows, hogs, sheep, and goats. She remembered sheering the sheep and preparing an animal for a meal. Animals were not thought of as pets, they were food. She talked about all the work that had to be done on the farm and how each family member had chores to do. She told me that her dad, who was also a blacksmith, had a big farm and had to hire men to help get all the work done.

            She told me that her dad’s farm came from her grandfather. She had aunts and uncles who also had farms around them. They would help each other get the work done when it was sheep shearing time or when the corn harvest was ready. It took everyone working together to get all the work done. It brought a smile to her face to remember how people came together to help each other out.

            She told me about graduating from high school in a class of twelve. She remembered that most of the people she knew graduated from high school in her community. After high school she went to work for the telephone company in Savannah. She was young and the supervisors were strict. She worked at the phone company for more than 15 years and had several promotions.

            She reflected on other areas of her life, including stories of her children. There were hard times and good times. She has told me a couple of times how she met my father-in-law, who passed a few years ago. It is a great story filled with love. She told me that she strongly believes that her faith in God throughout her life has made all the difference.

            She told me that everyone needs to repent of their sins and turn to the Father for grace, mercy, and love. She believes in the power of prayer and she firmly believes that we can hear the voice of God in our spirits to help guide us through life. She shared some specific examples of how God spoke to her, guiding her through her choices. She wants everyone to have a relationship with Jesus so they can go to heaven.

            At 100 years old, she is excited to go to her heavenly home. She knows there are streets of gold and beauty beyond compare. She knows her family is waiting for her to complete her journey and join them for a glorious family reunion. We have had many conversations in recent years about what heaven will be like when we get there someday. She is at peace about her final destination and prays fervently that all will join her.

            I want to encourage you to turn your hearts over to Jesus. Trust Him. This world and all its craziness will one day pass away and we will be with our Savior and Heavenly Father for all eternity. No one knows their day or hour; my mother-in-law just wants everyone to be ready. Between now and then, she hopes people can learn to work together, much like her family did on their farm.

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

By Doug Creamer

Fall 2025

            I love watching the trees turn beautiful fall colors. I have stopped on more than one occasion to take pictures of trees in their glory. Their beauty fades when they fall and need to be raked up. However, there are some great videos online of dogs running and jumping into piles of leaves. They will bring a smile to your face.

            I also appreciate the cooler fall weather. I am always glad to see the oppressive heat of summer lose its grip as the crisp air of fall takes over. I enjoy each season, but I like the spring and fall the best. The fall temperatures have been very kind to us this year.

            I have enjoyed a few garden treats this week. I have one tomato vine that is still producing tomatoes for me. I ate a juicy, fresh tomato sandwich the other night. This was probably the worst year for tomatoes for me. If it hadn’t been for some friends and local farmer I wouldn’t have enjoyed many tomatoes. This vine has been generous. I have also enjoyed some fall lettuce that I planted. The other day I walked through the yard and found a few raspberries. They tasted great on my cereal.  I wonder what will become of a potato plant I discovered had seeded itself in the garden.

            I did my least favorite fall task last weekend. I brought my tropical plants in for the winter. The plants go in the garage but the problem is the garage needed to be cleaned out in preparation for the plants to come in. Things need to be put away to make room for the plants. Carrying all the plants into the garage is getting harder as the plants are getting bigger and bigger each year.

There is still so much to do outside. I need to clean up the back porch and weed the plants that do not come into the garage. Those plants will need to move close to the house for the winter. I need to trim a few trees so they will be ready for next spring. I also need to put away the hoses. I would like to put some mulch down and clean out the gutters once the trees finish dropping their leaves.          

            The thing that is causing my mind to spin is that in a few weeks I will be busy outside putting up the Christmas decorations. If you go to any retail store you might think it is too late to start doing that because for them, Christmas has already arrived. I walked through Lowes the weekend before Halloween and they had put all the Halloween decorations away and Christmas was out in full force. A friend of mine is a professional Santa Claus in High Point and I imagine his schedule is already getting booked. He is a great Santa who always points to Jesus as being the real reason for Christmas.

            I know that Christmas is just around the corner and it will get here faster than I can imagine, but I want to caution us not to skip right over Thanksgiving. Fall is a great time to reflect on being thankful. We have enjoyed another gardening season and hopefully had some successes. We have enjoyed another summer season that hopefully included some travel to our favorite places. We are enjoying the beauty of the changing season and the nice reprieve from summer’s heat before the cold of winter sets in.

            There is so much to be thankful for that we should not reserve it for one day. We are blessed to have family and friends in our lives who care about us and are there for us as we go through the ups and downs of life. We have roofs over our heads and food on our tables, something that is missing for many living in war torn nations or those who have endured Hurricane Melissa.

            It is easy to allow the rush towards Christmas to push you right past Thanksgiving and being thankful, but I want to encourage you to purposefully take some time over the next couple of weeks to focus on being thankful. In your prayers, purposefully thank God for your many blessings. In your interactions with co-workers and family, express thanks to them for their help and support. In the weeks to come, express an attitude of gratitude. Learn to express your thanks every day, not just on one day of the year. Having a heart filled with thanks will change the way you see the world and the way the world sees you.

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

By Doug Creamer

A Different Road

            I wrote about my nephew’s wedding last week. It was great to see my family. It’s hard to get our whole family together because we are really spread out across the country. I have nieces and nephews that live in Montana and Idaho. I have a nephew in Puerto Rico and another in Oklahoma. A number of them live in Virginia. The ones in the Carolinas I get to see for holiday gatherings. 

            I have noticed that like me, they are getting older. Many of my nieces and nephews are in their thirties, with one hitting forty. Several are going through big life changes like expecting a child, changing jobs, and changing life direction. Listening to them reminded me that life is full of changes, some good and pleasant, others hard and challenging. I remember in my own life how critical faith was to help navigate those changes, believing that God would see us through.

            My nephew’s wedding was a few miles past the end of civilization. I left early to get there on time. I am glad I did because I had a little trouble finding the place. I wrote the directions out and had a printout of the directions, but I still struggled. In the directions there was a road that I was supposed to be on for only a short distance. I was cruising along and out of the corner of my eye I saw the name of the road. I turned around and went back to that road without checking my directions.

            This road took me on a beautiful adventure out into the country. It was a twisty, peaceful road. I was enjoying the views and taking in fall’s beauty. After driving for quite a while, I began to think about those directions sitting on my seat. Something felt wrong. I was still on this road but failed to realize this was supposed to be the road that only required a short distance. The peace began to evaporate as I began to think I was going the wrong way.

            That’s when I spotted a fire station. Firemen know their way around. I told the guy where I was going, and he said I was just a few miles from a critical intersection. My peace returned and I began to enjoy the sights once again. When I finally arrived at the intersection, I discovered that I was supposed to be on the road I was crossing, not the one I was on. I made the turn and was back on track. I later realized that I had been on a long journey on a country road that just happened to loop me back around to my destination.

            I believe that life is much like my mistaken turn. We believe we know where we are going but sometimes we get off the road God intended for us. The journey ends up being a pleasant diversion. We are not where God intended but we are also not in danger. God is keeping a close eye on us. We have wandered. He has a plan to get us back on track but it requires that we seek wise counsel and be willing to follow it.

            We all come to forks in the road in our lives. Several of my nieces and nephews are sitting there right now. We can choose which road to go down. One is the way the Lord is calling us and the other may lead us away from His blessing. How do we know which way to go?

            I believe it requires prayer. Prayer should include trusted brothers and sisters in the Lord and our pastors. Seeking wise counsel from people who have your best interests at heart is also a good idea. Be careful of paths that look easy and good. Sometimes God’s path is more challenging, but those challenges will build godly character and lead you into a far better place. I believe God will guide you if you are willing to wait and pray.

            Do you know that God wants you to have a good trip through life? An old pastor friend has worked hard to drill that into my head. I want to encourage you if you are at a crossroads in life…God is with you…wait, pray, and listen for His voice to guide you. God’s way is often not the easy way. God’s way is not the shortcut. God’s path often involves training and developing your personal strengths and character. His path is not about instant success but long-term success. Don’t be in a rush to move forward. God is at work behind the scenes for you, preparing the way for you, wanting to bless you.

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

By Doug Creamer

An Interesting Conversation

            My nephew got married over the weekend in a beautiful outdoor ceremony. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect if we had ordered it. The setting was beautiful. The sun peeked through the leaves to catch glimpses of the bride and groom. I saw a swarm of honeybees and a flock of birds fly over. All of nature was straining to get a glimpse of the bride and groom. 

            The ceremony honored both their faith and their devotion to each other. They composed their own vows in which they shared the depth of their love and commitment to each other. Then they exchanged the traditional vows before sharing the anxiously awaited kiss. It was a wonderful afternoon watching my sister’s youngest son begin his life’s journey together with his new bride. Almost my entire family was present and it was great to see my siblings and their families all together. 

            The reception that followed was filled with all the traditional activities: the first dance, cutting the cake, and speeches. The food was very good and the place was packed with warmth and good cheer. Everyone had a great time in what was a well-choreographed wedding ceremony. I am so happy for the bride and groom and their respective families.

            While we were waiting to eat, I was sitting at a table with my brother-in-law, another nephew, who was visiting from Puerto Rico, and a great-niece. My brother-in-law was asking questions for each of us to answer. My great-niece was enjoying the interaction. At one point he asked her, “If you could have dinner with two people, living or dead, who would they be and why?” My niece responded, “Monet.” The three of us were blown away with her response since she is a young child. Then she added Vincent van Gogh and she had us all reeling. How could such a young child pick such great people? Obviously, she is interested in art. We all thought she would pick some movie or TV star or a young heart throb.

            When asked the same question, my brother-in-law, who is English, chose Winston Churchill and one of the Queens from British history. We discussed several influential people in British history that would be fascinating to meet. I told the group that I would like to meet Paul who wrote most of the New Testament. As a writer, I would like to learn what I could from the expert. Everyone liked that answer. When asked who my second choice would be, I mentioned a few movie stars. This earned me some well-intentioned teasing from the guys. We all got a good laugh from the suggested stars. To be honest, I would really like to meet several contemporary Christian writers such as Davis Bunn, Frank Peretti, or Max Lucado. I once met Og Mandino, who had a huge impact on my life. But that is a story for another day.

            The question fell to my nephew. Without hesitation he said he would like to meet Jesus. He said he had lots of questions that he would like to discuss with Jesus. We all liked his choice. We discussed a few of his questions and we enjoyed the interaction. A little later, my brother-in-law left the table and I pursued his choice a little deeper. I told my nephew that I would enjoy hearing his questions and discussing them with him. I told him that my father often liked to discuss such things and it would remind me of him in a pleasant way. We decided that we would continue our discussion through email.

            I am looking forward to this exchange with my nephew as we discuss the things he would like to learn from Jesus. I hope that I will be able to answer some questions which I think will help deepen my own faith as I grapple with the things that are on his mind. Talking about Jesus is one of my favorite topics. I imagine my dad would have loved to be a part of this exchange, adding plenty of his own questions.  

            I want to encourage you to explore opportunities that present themselves to you to discuss and share your faith with others. Many people you know have questions that you could answer and help them to understand. My nephew and I have agreed that this is not to be a debate but rather an opportunity to learn and grow in our understanding. I hope we grow closer through this exchange. Sharing our faith and why we believe in a non-judgmental way can be a real blessing. Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

Needing Help

            There is one thing that most people do not want to admit: I need help. We all want to be able to take care of our own needs. We will work hard to figure out how we can do a task all by ourselves. If we can’t see the solution immediately, we will keep thinking about how we can do it on our own. We struggle to accept help in order to get things done.

            The trouble is, especially as we age, that sometimes we need help to do a task. The question becomes, who do we ask for help? What kind of relationship do we have with a neighbor or co-worker? Can we ask them for help? What will they think? Will we feel like a burden to them? Do they feel obligated to help or are they helping out of kindness?

            I find it easier to offer help than to receive it. If a neighbor or co-worker needs help with something I will be there to give them a hand. Sometimes I will do something to help a neighbor without being asked; that’s what good neighbors do. We look out for each other and we care about each other. So why is it difficult to receive that same kind of help?

            I had some tasks that I needed to do outside that twenty years ago I would done without asking for help. I might have had some sore muscles, but it would have felt good to have the tasks done. After hurting my back in the spring, I am a little more cautious. While I feel like I have fully recovered, I decided it would be nice to have a little help to get these things done.

            A friend from church was willing to come give me a hand. In just under four hours we were able to knock out my list. It felt great to get those things done. As a bonus, we got to enjoy some good fellowship and share some great laughs. I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know my friend a little better.

            I will ask the question again, why do we struggle so much with asking for help? Could it be a matter of pride? No one wants to admit that we are getting older or need help. I know I sit down to rest more often when I am working outside. I also make sure I am using my legs to lift and not my back. Regardless, I still want to do things on my own and not have to ask for help.

            Imagine how this translates to our spiritual lives. We want to be spiritually strong and independent. But the Body of Christ is designed so we are dependent on each other. We are the family of God and we will have to lean upon each other from time to time. God designed us with strengths and weaknesses. Each of us has different talents, skills, and abilities. No one can do it all. We need each other for support and encouragement.

            If the Body of Christ was dependent on me for singing, we would be in terrible trouble. I love to sing, but I know that I do not have a good singing voice. God has given me the gifts of teaching, writing, and encouraging. I am good at these things and people need me to use my gifts and talents to build up and encourage the Body of Christ.

            We will all find ourselves going through difficult times at some point. Maybe you are going through the loss of a loved one, maybe you are facing financial struggles, or maybe you have recently given your life to God and you need help growing in your faith. Whatever you are struggling with, especially if it’s medical stuff, there is someone in the family of God who made it through that same situation who can pray with and for you as you walk on your journey. God wants us to help each other and to accept help from each other.

            I want to encourage you to be willing to accept a helping hand when you find yourself in the place of need. I know you might prefer to be the helper instead of the one receiving help, but it is God’s design that you need to learn to receive as easily as you give. We need to let someone else use their gifts and abilities to be a blessing and learn to receive that blessing from them. I know it is a hard lesson. I have much to learn. It is part of the beauty of the Body of Christ, blessing and being blessed.

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

By Doug Creamer

Testing Us

            I enjoy my job at the community college where I am helping students earn their high school equivalency. There are four tests students must pass in order to earn their diploma. Students have to become proficient in language arts, math, science, and social studies. We have daytime classes in person and online. There is also an online evening program. We push the students to grow in their knowledge and skills so they can pass the tests and graduate.

            We have some practice tests to help students prepare for their testing experience. Nerves can get in the way. Sometimes students struggle with the tests. We are there to encourage and support them through the process. It is so exciting to see our students pass tests and achieve success.

            Despite all the instruction and preparation, sometimes our students come up a little short on the tests. It’s hard for them and we feel it too. We sit down with them and work on areas that need reinforcing. We have been seeing some great success with our students. It is very rewarding when students pass their tests. The excitement spreads like wildfire to the other students.

            When it comes down to it, most of us don’t like tests, especially medical tests. The reality is that we will all face a variety of different tests in life. Some will come out good while others will prove to be challenging. It’s okay to admit that you are scared or don’t like change. We have to own up to our weaknesses and develop strategies for improvement. With faith, grace, and change we will push through and overcome.

            Tests and changes reach beyond the classroom to our professional lives. Teachers and doctors take tests to maintain their licenses. Most professionals that require state licenses will require professional development and often tests. It’s hard to avoid being tested.

            I believe that God is in the testing business, too. God wants to know if we trust Him. The best way for Him to figure that out is to put us in situations where we have to trust Him. When we can lean on Him and believe that He has our best interests at heart, He knows that we trust Him. Can we walk through difficult circumstances while trusting God?

            One specific way is to see if we believe God is our provider. He will allow circumstances in our lives that will test us to see if we believe that God will provide for us. Our bank accounts may not sustain us through a financial crisis, but will we trust God or lean on our own understanding? I have seen God come through for us so many times and provide in what seemed to me to be miraculous ways. Don’t think that I didn’t struggle with doubt and worry…I failed those tests…but I have seen God’s faithfulness time after time.

            God also wants to know if we will be obedient when we are facing odds that are against us. In the Bible, we are told of huge armies that came against Israel. God would tell the people what to do if they wanted to see victory. One time, they sent the musicians in front of the army. Another time, they marched around Jericho for seven days and then God made the city walls come crashing down. And a young boy named David defeated a giant with a small stone. Have you ever faced insurmountable odds and seen God come through for you?

            God knows that the only way to grow your faith muscles is to test them and stretch them. He has to give you chances to trust and lean on Him in order for you to turn to Him in your challenging moments. He wants to come through for you and confirm in you the depth of His love for you. He wants to prove to you that He has an eye on your situation and that He knows every detail. There is no need to worry or live in fear because He’s got you.  

            I want to encourage you to trust in God with every circumstance or situation you are facing. He has a plan that is unique for you. He sees you on the other side. He knows how you will find victory and build a deeper faith and trust in Him. He hasn’t forsaken you. He is walking with you through your situation. There is nothing too difficult for Him. You will overcome because He made you to be an overcomer. He wants to build a testimony in your life to His goodness. So let the tests come, you will pass them one by one.

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

By Doug Creamer

Planning Ahead

            Every year about this time many of us receive packets of information to help us choose a health care plan—it’s open enrollment season. Besides a main insurance plan, there are extra benefits available at an additional cost. We have to choose which plans will work best for our health care needs.

            My wife and I are working to get some other plans in place, too. No one really likes to think about it, but it is important to set up a will. The old adage says there are only two sure things in life… death and taxes. We want to make sure that we have plans in place for the inevitable. In North Carolina if one passes without a will then the state will decide what happens to your estate. Passing without a will could really leave your spouse in a bind. Neither of us wants that to happen.

            Sometimes I wish that the DeLorean from Back to the Future was available so I could go back and talk to my younger self about financial planning. I recently spent time with two financial planners who opened my eyes to a number of things I should have done and that I can still do to have better plans in place for our future. One pointed out that we are going to have more health issues as we age. I can put some plans in place now that could help me then. He also had plans on how we could take our nest egg and make it into a much more substantial nest egg.

            I am beginning to realize I have much to learn about the Golden Years of our lives. I learned it’s not too late and that I better get busy and make some decisions sooner rather than later. The data and choices are sitting on my desk waiting for me. Once the decisions are made, I will need to execute them. Some of these decisions are unpleasant, especially those about the end, but if I don’t make them they will be made for me and I may not like what is decided.

            While planning ahead in this life is very important, planning ahead in our spiritual lives is much more important. Many people are under the false impression that God decides our eternal destination. They believe that they will walk up to God who will decide if they are “good enough” to get into heaven. The reality is that none of us is good enough to get into heaven. Even people we believe are good, kind, and spend their lives helping others are not good enough to get into heaven.

            The Bible makes it clear that we have all sinned and fallen short of what God expects to let us into heaven. We can’t do enough good stuff to erase the bad. We also can’t hope that God will just let us in. The decision about where we will spend eternity is entirely in our courts. God has made a provision; He has made a way for each one of us to make it into heaven. We have to choose before we die to follow His plan.

            God made the plan simple. We don’t have to jump through hoops or complete some rigorous task. We simply have to turn to Jesus and ask Him to be our Lord and Savior. It’s that simple. Anyone can do it, including the worst person you know. God is full of grace and mercy. We can see proof of that when Jesus was dying on the cross. One of the thieves who was crucified alongside Jesus asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus told the man that they would be together that day in heaven. The man didn’t have time to do any good works for God yet he will be there in heaven and we will get to meet him one day.

            I want to encourage you to plan ahead for your eternal destination. You don’t want to miss heaven and being with Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. The place has got to be spectacular because it’s going to make this world seem pale in comparison. The other benefit will be that we will be surrounded by God’s perfect love and peace. I hope your plans include going there and that you have made that all important decision. I look forward to meeting you in heaven one day!  Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

By Doug Creamer

Serving is not a Duty

            It seems like we aren’t getting as much mail lately. The trip to the mailbox is often fruitless. The bill collectors regularly keep in contact with us, though. I don’t mind because I like having power, water, and all the other services they provide. Every once in a while, you will find a letter in your box that you wish had gotten lost in the mail. I received one of those letters recently. It was a thin letter. In the upper left hand corner I saw it was from the Clerk of Superior Court. I knew without opening it that I had jury duty. I stood in my driveway and opened the letter to see when I would have to serve. I, like anyone else who receives such a letter, was frustrated and wished I could make it go away. I took a few breaths and let the frustration go.

            I love our country. One of the responsibilities of living in this great land is that sometimes our country needs our help dealing with legal issues. Someone needs us to listen objectively to their situation and determine whether they are innocent or guilty. Any one of us could find ourselves in that situation one day. We would need twelve people plus two alternates to listen to our story and determine our destiny.

            We all might consider jury duty an inconvenience and we may wish we were somewhere else, but for a period of time our country and an individual needs us to help bring about justice. When you consider all the cases that come before our court system and all the people who have served on jury duty to help bring about justice…it is truly amazing. Our system of justice works better than many other places around the world.

            Serving is actually quite interesting. They show you a video explaining how the jury process works. That video should be required viewing for every high school student before they graduate. They explain that we don’t have jury duty, but rather jury service. It is each citizen’s opportunity to serve our country so we can have a fair and equitable legal system. I understand that it is something that we would prefer not to do. However, if we want our system to work, each of us has to be available to serve.

            Serving is a vital part of every organization. We all know that it is normally a handful of people who do the majority of the work within most organizations. Sadly, the same thing applies to most churches. The majority of the church’s work is done by a handful of people. Many people do very little to help build, grow, or encourage the church.

            Many people think it is the pastor’s and staff’s job to take care of everything at the church. The Bible teaches us that it is the pastor’s job to equip the church to do the work of the church. Pastors are supposed to be the mentors and trainers in the church and the members are called to do the work within the church. The members are also called to do the evangelical outreach of the church. It’s the members’ job to reach out and help in our communities.  

            There is a place for everyone to serve in the church. If you are musically inclined, not me, there is the choir and musicians. Churches need Sunday school teachers. Churches need greeters to welcome people. Churches need ushers to help people find seats and collect the offering. Churches need people to love the babies in the nurseries. Churches need creative people to help with the arts and crafts in the children’s area. Churches need people to pay the bills, run the office and create and manage the budget. Churches need people who love to cook for the meals we enjoy at church. Every church needs people to clean and maintain our facilities

            I want to encourage you to use your talents, skills, and abilities to serve in your church. God needs each one of us to do our part to help advance and grow His kingdom. It takes all of us, not just the pastor and church staff, to make a difference in our world. The church needs you! Jesus wants you to contribute and make your church a better place. No job is too small. There are plenty of behind the scenes jobs if you don’t want to get noticed. Find your place. Do your part! Let your light shine by serving God.

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

By Doug Creamer

Finding God in the Everyday

            I like going for walks, working in my garden, and reading on my front porch. These are peaceful activities that allow me to quiet my mind, spirit, and soul. The world is loud. The world is crazy and getting crazier all the time. The news is mostly negative. Some people can be angry and impatient. Worldly pressures push me towards being quiet. It all seems counter to my personality, which is more outgoing and positive.

            When I meet someone new, I always seek to find the good in them. I believe that there is good or at least the capacity for it deep inside each one of us. Sometimes life struggles and circumstances have caused people to bury the goodness. It’s there waiting to be called out. We are created in the image of God and He places the seed of His goodness inside each one of us. We have to choose to let that seed grow within us.

            I think it comes back to what we are feeding ourselves. If we listen to the news all day long we are going to struggle with depression because the news is depressing. If we listen to music with angry lyrics then we are going to be angry. If we spend hours scrolling through social media and see how perfect everyone’s life appears compared to ours, then we are going to be discouraged. We tend to forget that people only post their best moments.

            If we feed our hearts and minds these false impressions of the world around us then it’s going to give us a negative outlook on life. True, there really are some bad things going on in our world. True, some people may get to take great vacations. True, we might need to examine our choice of music and not allow the negativity to infect our spirit. We need to stop and consider what we are feeding ourselves.

            When I go for a walk I can see and appreciate the beauty God created. I can also stop and meet my neighbors. We have great neighbors who are kind, friendly, like to laugh, and are real people with joys and sorrows. Meeting the neighbors removes the mystery and helps me discover the goodness of God in their lives and gives me the opportunity to be a blessing or sometimes to be blessed.  

            I believe the goodness of God is just waiting to be discovered in our neighbors, in the beauty of nature around us, and even in the mundane things of everyday life. Many people see the goodness of God in the beauty of fall as trees put on their magnificent show of color. People will travel long distances to drive through the mountains and take in the beauty. It is hard to deny the creativity and majesty of God when spring begins to wake up in all of its splendor. Most of us can see God’s fingerprints in nature.

            How do you find God during the mundane moments of life? I think God is with us all the time; the problem is that we are unaware of His presence. I like to talk with Him while I am washing the dishes or cutting the grass. I believe He is with us when we are cleaning the house, doing laundry, pulling weeds, washing the car, and driving to work. The Bible tells us that He will never leave or forsake us, so He must be there but we just aren’t paying attention.

            Some people might say we need to tune our spirit to His so we can receive His presence. I believe God wants to draw close to us and in fact He is very close to us. We are simply too distracted by our daily tasks to realize He is right there with us. He cares about us and for us. Recognizing His presence and opening our hearts to Him can turn the mundane tasks into a time of sweet fellowship with Him.

            I want to encourage you to open your hearts and minds to God’s presence in the midst of everyday tasks. He doesn’t live in your church; He lives in your heart. He is as close as your every breath. When you begin to look for Him, I believe you are going to find Him. Look for His hand as you watch the leaves turning. See his handiwork in the next sunrise or sunset. See if you can find Him the next time you wash the dishes or cut the grass. He is waiting to be discovered in the wonders of nature and in the everyday activities of your life.

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