All Hands on Deck

by   August 29, 2018 with No Comments

My daddy is a great story teller. In honor of his eighty-fifth birthday, I’m retelling one of his. I naively asked one day if the ocean ever got rough enough to be scary when he was out to sea.
“Oh yes.” He replied with a laugh.

I figured that on a huge aircraft carrier he might not even notice a storm. The few times I’ve been out on the ocean I quickly realized that the sea is not for me. I recall praying something similar to “Lord, if You will just get me back to land, I will never gripe or complain again.” He answered my prayers even though He knows I’m a liar.

My question prompted daddy to tell us a story we’d never heard. His ship was near the Arctic Circle along with a fleet of US Navy vessels. Together with the British Navy they were doing maneuvers during the Korean conflict. All their planes were in the air when suddenly a thick fog rolled in. It settled in and stayed for a very serious amount of time.

“It was so thick you couldn’t see any of the other ships. We were in real danger because planes were running out of fuel and the pilots couldn’t see to land. The captain came over the ship’s loudspeaker and called ‘ALL HANDS ON DECK!’”

“Once we were assembled, the captain gave an order. It was really more of a request. He asked us to pray. Everybody bowed their heads. Within about ten minutes, the fog cleared and planes came dropping out of the sky. You’ve never seen such a swarm! It didn’t matter if they were Brits or American, they were scrambling just to land on any vessel before that fog rolled back in. There were over a hundred planes in the air above us that day. We didn’t lose a single one.”

It’s good for us to feel helpless at times. It’s important to recognize that we cannot control each situation to our liking. It’s wise to realize that in the grand scope of things, we are actually very small. Like tiny vessels tossed in an enormous angry sea we know in our soul that we need help. How amazing that the One Who created the vast ocean has invited us to call on His Name, and He hears us! With just a Word, the winds obey Him. The waves are still. The fog is lifted and suddenly, through no power of our own, we find ourselves safely home.

The age old request “LORD help!” is a very powerful prayer. Only when we come to the end of our own wisdom and resources, can we fully appreciate Who He is. And He doesn’t even wait for us sailors to clean up our lives before He answers.
How great is our God!

“’LORD help!’ they cried in their trouble and He saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as He bought them safely into harbor! Let them praise the LORD for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.” -Psalm107:28-31

Heaven

by   August 27, 2018 with No Comments

Heaven felt really close that morning. Above me were the whitest white clouds and the bluest blue skies I had ever seen. They hovered above me like I belonged with them. Touching them did not seem out of the realm of possibility.

Looking back twenty years later, I believe heaven may actually have been a little closer that day. Because…a few hours earlier, I had watched my mother slip away and cross over to her heavenly home, where her faith had become sight.

1 Peter 1:3-4 says that because of God’s abundant mercy, we are born again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is an everlasting heritage, is not subject to death, will not fade away, and is reserved in heaven for us.

Yes, there was a place in heaven reserved for her!

She had RESERVATIONS!

*She did not have to check any baggage, because she did not take any with her.

*She did not have to prove her identity, because Jesus knew her.

*She did not have to pay to get in, because Jesus had paid the price!

Just minutes after singing these words around her bedside, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see,” Jesus took her home. I somehow believe she was greeted in heaven with that song – sung by the heavenly choir!

Revelation 21:4-5 tells us that God wiped away her tears, that she would see no more death, she would feel no more sorrow, nor crying, and she would have no more pain, for those things had passed away. God had made all things new.

John 14:2-3 tells us there was a mansion awaiting her, because Jesus had gone to prepare a place for her, and that He would come again and receive her unto himself, that where He was, there she would be also.

Yes, Jesus had prepared a place – for her – and He came back to get her! The promise of eternal life that she had clung to – had been fulfilled.

1 Corinthians 2:9 says that our eyes have not seen, nor have our ears heard, neither has it entered into our hearts, the things that God has prepared for those who love him.

1 Corinthians 13:12 says that now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. Now we know in part, but then we will be complete.

I believe it. I believe it all. I believe it for me. I believe it for you. And I believe it for those who have gone on before us.

God is real. Heaven is real. His promises are true.

Lord, I pray for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Heal their broken hearts. Comfort them. Wrap Your arms around them. Give them peace that passes all understanding. May we all somehow catch a glimpse of just how beautiful heaven must be… Amen.

Our Words Have Power

by   August 19, 2018 with No Comments

I know I must have written about this topic at some point, but it seems to be stirring in my spirit again. I have been thinking about the power of words. I have recently had the privilege of spending some quality time with some good friends and family. The conversations have been deep, rich, and encouraging.

What has struck me the most is that we all have stories, ups and downs in our lives. We all carry scars from the lessons that life has taught us. While some lessons are easy to learn, others require us to acquire some new bruises. I am not sure why we are so determined to learn things the hard way when we could learn from each other.

Another thing I noticed is that age doesn’t exempt us from new lessons. Some we learn and move on, while others require deep inner struggle. When I was young, I thought that by a certain age we would master the lessons and live peacefully. It seems that God has a different plan. We learn a lesson, enjoy a brief sigh, and it’s on to the next lesson.

I think we all have much to learn about our careless use of words. We fail to understand the power of our words. As a teacher, I see students who rarely (if ever) hear the words: “I love you” or “I am proud of you.” These are simple yet profound words that we all desire to hear. As a teacher, I feel it is inappropriate to tell my students I love them, but I have made it a priority to let them know I am proud of them. I have watched the powerful impact of those words as I look directly into my students’ eyes.

I believe we have to watch our words when we talk about our aches and pains. We think they will last forever so we say, “I will never get over this.” These words are powerful because they leave no room for God to heal and restore. When we believe that we will not get better, it becomes like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Let me share a personal example. I always have trouble with my sinuses in the fall and the spring. I will usually be in bed for several days. In saying this, I leave no room for God to protect or to even heal me. I own it. My grandmother had some very serious surgeries in her lifetime and she would always say, “I will be home in a few days and I will get over it.” Do you know what happened each time? She recovered quickly and was home.

We have to learn to watch our words. I am not suggesting when you have the full-blown flu that you come to church and tell everyone you are healed. But you can rest in bed and believe that you will recover quicker than most people because you serve a God who heals. Give God room to work in your life. Believe that He can heal you.

We have to learn to watch our words as we speak to and about each other. We have to remember what is said when a person is not present is heard by our Father in Heaven. That should make us all stop and think. The words we say to each other have profound and long-lasting effects. As a society, we are quick to tear each other down and we fail to build each other up. We should be using our words to encourage and strengthen each other as we endeavor to live out our Christian faith.

With the power of the tongue we can create or we can destroy. Our Father always speaks words of love and hope to us. We can choose to be like Him and build each other up, or be used by the enemy to discourage. Our words can change the destiny of others for good or bad. I want to believe the best for others and my words to be filled with love and hope.

I want to encourage you to choose your words carefully. Are your words filled with venom intending to kill and destroy, or are your words filled with life and peace? You have the power to choose. God is listening. I want to surround myself with people who believe in me and will speak words of life to me. I hope people see me as that kind of person: a builder, a supplier of hope, a person of faith, and one whose words bring life.

Doug Creamer’s books are at Amazon. Contact him at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

Misunderstood

by   August 18, 2018 with No Comments

Have you ever been misunderstood? It happens. Our oldest daughter Stephanie is one of the nicest people you’d ever meet. She is a pastor’s wife and lives in the farming village of Ramsey, Illinois. She’s so nice she apologizes when she bumps into mannequins. The other day we were visiting by way of text when I told her about an upcoming book signing party. She asked if she should rent a costume and stand by the road to wave people in. I told her that would be REAL nice. So she texted me back that she’d bring her chicken in a bikini suit. Only her text didn’t come to me. It went to the camp director for their church association.

Thank God there were no pictures.

I’m a nice person too… at least I think so. Writing the way I do, putting things out there for God and everybody to see, makes people laugh. However, not everyone gets my humor. I’ve been accused of being negative, careless, and ungodly.

Yep. It’s true.

I am all of those things.

But laughter is good for what ails us. So when I tell you the following, just know it is for medicinal purposes only.
We’ve been having some issues with… let’s say, our community. The neighborhood is changing. King James would name some of them “lewd fellows of the baser sort.”

I would not disagree.

I don’t like change of any kind and especially not when it involves my safe place. So David took me to the gun range. For the first time in my life I shot a pistol. The man-shaped target received bullet holes in his head and heart, plus at least one in his appendix.

I hope he knew Jesus because if he didn’t it is eternally too late for him.

I have to say I was happily surprised. I expected David to be a good shot and he is. But I never dreamed an old chick like me could do well in this area. The bad guy in the target never stood a chance.

Different subject: You know those “Thank You Jesus” signs in folks’ yards? I LOVE them! It makes me happy to tool around town and see one at every other house. I hope you don’t misunderstand. But since we don’t have one, I thought about sticking our bullet riddled targets in the yard instead.

An ounce of prevention and all…

I know. I’m awful.

Apparently God has a sense of humor though. The current series at our church is “Love thy Neighbor.”
I’ll be glad when we move on to something more practical… like Leviticus or Hosea. Maybe I’ll learn to be less negative… and careless… and ungodly.

Shameless plug:
If you’d like to stop by Attractions on Main, Thursday, September 13th to purchase a book or have one signed, I’ll have my negative-careless-ungodly self perched in a chair ready to meet you. My sweet friend Deborah Neely Bowman is opening her boutique to me that day.

Sorry. Stephanie will not be there in her chicken in a bikini suit. Apparently she had prior obligations… or so she says.

Psalm 1

by   August 16, 2018 with No Comments

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Wild & Free

by   August 15, 2018 with No Comments

Hello from the States! Yes, I’m still here. I have been meaning to sit down and write a post for, well about two months now (have I really been back that long?!), but it’s hard to get inspired to write when my life is seemingly normal. Well, I’m not sure I can use the word “normal.” My life seems to steer pretty clear of that. But in comparison to wandering around Europe with a backpack and no agenda my current life is very much normal.

Being home has been both really good and really hard, but mostly good. Christmas break was amazing. Like seriously, the best. It was so good to spend quality time with the fam and all my crew from high school. We spent so much time playing games, eating food and just being together. I really couldn’t have picked a better time to come back. The beginning of January hit hard. Real hard. Almost everyone left and I was here feeling like I was in the exact same place I was this time last year. Just working with no real plan for my life. I spent a few rough days feeling sorry for myself before I straightened out and realized I was being absolutely ridiculous. After all, last year did turn out to be pretty freakin’ sweet, so why not believe the same and more for this year? And so I’ve decided to re-release myself to the winds; to that crazy, no agenda life where anything can happen. This should be easy for me seeing as I’m not married, I don’t have kids and I have a job I can take anywhere. Yet, unfortunately, in our structure-filled culture this isn’t such an easy lifestyle, but I do believe it is a mentality that we are to stand on. Wild and free. Whatever that looks like. Believe it or not I do actually have my next venture planned out. Well, perhaps it’s more than just a venture. This time it won’t just be me and my backpack, but also my car and my snowboard and well, everything else I own. Colorado seems to be calling my name. Let’s backup a bit-

I think it was about August when I first became intrigued with the idea of moving to Colorado. Of course at that point I was pretty set on staying in Europe forever so I kind of threw it in the back of my head. But as time went on I couldn’t really get rid of it. Like most of my life, there’s not logic behind it. I have family there who have been bragging on their state for years, and I do love mountains. Aside from that I don’t really know what has me so intrigued, but I’m going with it! And this time I’m not going solo! Let me tell you how cool God is; throughout high school I had this amazing friend, Kelly. We took home-school classes together and played on the same volleyball team. Unfortunately, when I moved to Wilmington we totally lost touch. I literally hadn’t talked to her in three years, but for some reason sometime in November I could not stop thinking about this girl. I knew I was supposed to connect with her, but had no clue why. So I messaged her from England asking if she would be around over Christmas break (I didn’t even know where she was living). We met up the first week in January and it felt like we had just seen each other the week before. She filled me in on her life, which aside from traveling sounded a lot like mine, and told me she was finishing up an internship and wasn’t clear on the next step. I then filled her in on my life and then told her I was planning to move to Colorado. When I said that she stared at me with this look of, “Are you kidding me??!” and told me that just the day before she had told her brother she was moving to Colorado. She, like me, had no agenda and no set city in mind. Just intrigued with an idea and going with it. How crazy is that? So right then and there it was decided we would go together. We plan to move out there early summer, but we are both going out in March to scope out the lands. So, so stoked!

In January my sweet Irish sister, Sarah came to the States. She stayed in Knoxville with our house parents from Mozambique so I made the trek over to see them. It was so amazing to be together and reminisce on the days that we lived in a two bedroom house with 13 girls, 1 guy and a cat. But even more-so than that it was amazing to see what a beautiful community looks like. Melody and Spencer, my house parents, live at the Banks house (for those that are familiar with United Pursuit Band, this is where it started). They have one of those houses that people are constantly in and out of, eating together, playing games together, worshiping together, and simply doing life together. After Knoxville I, along with my mom and two of my brothers, went to Oklahoma to visit my oldest brother, Josiah, and his amazing family. They have the most incredible kids. I could literally snuggle with them forever. They all go to a huge church out there that they absolutely love. They’ve done an excellent job at submerging themselves into this beautiful community of people all passionate for the same things. As much as I loved my solo days in Europe, I didn’t realize till recently just how desperate I am for good community. That, above all, is my dream for the year. To find a group of people who know how to do family well. I had a friend the other day tell me that in order to find that I should probably stay in one place for longer than a few weeks. A sad fact, but probably true. Guess I better like Colorado!

I’m trying my hardest not to get caught up in the mundane. My life is still an awfully big adventure, it just looks a little different than it did before. But they say the best is yet to come and I’m standing on that. C’mon glory!!

Times of Refreshing

by   August 12, 2018 with No Comments

After coming back from a refreshing time at the beach, we had many things that needed our attention around the house. We have worked our way through the laundry pile and tried to catch up on the watering. Even getting back to some of the routines of life hasn’t tarnished too greatly the sense of refreshment I had when I left the beach.

Where are all the summer scattered showers and thunderstorms? I don’t think we have had a shower in over two weeks here. The last band of showers that pushed through didn’t give us a drop. We did get quite a bit of wind, which gave us a pleasant gift from heaven.

I don’t ever recall having several cool days in July. The air was humidity-free, the temperatures were delightful, and the northerly breeze was refreshing. I worked in the yard all day on Saturday, which my muscles reminded me about on Sunday. Even Sunday was a great day. I read in the shade of the trees for a while and even did a little more yardwork.

I sat outside late in the evening and early in the morning. I ate my lunches outside. I just couldn’t get enough of that cool, refreshing air. I am not naïve; I know that summer’s heat has returned to stay, but those couple of days were awesome. I was enjoying the cool air so much that I didn’t mind weeding…I didn’t say I liked it, just didn’t mind it.

I recently wrote about being refreshed at the beach. I think we all find a sense of refreshment when we are away from the routines of life. When we can rest, do enjoyable things, eat delicious food, and connect with those we love, refreshment has a way of washing over us. But I believe there are other ways to be refreshed.

I know that many churches hold revival services. This is when we bring in a guest speaker who brings words of encouragement and challenge to stir us deeply in our spirits. Spending several evenings in church listening to the word of God being taught will almost always revive the spirit. The word of God is like living water flowing in and through us which undoubtedly will renew us from the inside out.

The Bible teaches us that repentance can also bring renewal and revival. I am not sure whether repentance breeds revival or revival brings repentance, but all I know is the end result is a refreshed spirit. I have been praying for revival for our land for longer than I can remember. I know that when people repent from their sinful ways, God washes over the people taking away the blight of sin and the pain of guilt, which in every case will refresh the soul.

Some may think that they really don’t need to repent, but God’s word teaches us that none of us is free of sin. There are many good people out in the world that I have had the pleasure of knowing, but they still sin. We need the redemptive power of Jesus’ blood to turn us from sinners into the sons and daughters of God. There is nothing more refreshing than seeing a sinner become born again. When we are born again we are fresh, clean, and redeemed. Jesus paid a high price so we could be refreshed and set free.

Whatever trial you are facing, whatever trouble you are in, I know someone who has all the answers. He is humble and gentle and cares more about your situation than you do. He is filled with forgiveness, hope, and the strength you need to overcome every obstacle and set you free. He loves you more than you can imagine. He will never turn His back on you, never give up on you. He knows the pains of your past and wants to bring healing and peace. All you need to do is turn around and call out His name because if you do…He will come running to you.

I want to encourage you to turn around and call out to the savior Jesus who stands ready to receive your broken life because He can make it brand new. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, Jesus accepts all. Think of the criminal on the cross, he had nothing to offer but an eternity with Jesus to receive. The free gift of God which includes unbelievable love, complete forgiveness for your past, a peace that goes beyond understanding, and times of deep refreshing are waiting for you. I encourage you to ask the living God, He will not disappoint you.

Doug Creamer’s books are at Amazon. Contact him at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

She Might Be Wicked

by   August 3, 2018 with No Comments

I keep a list in the front of my Bible. The title is “Nutshell Verses.” If you’re not into wisdom, stop reading here. Just kidding. Have you noticed the newest tactic to get you to sign up for emails you don’t want? They’ll pop up a message which has choices like “YES! I want to receive a zillion emails about products I don’t use.” Or “NO! I do not like saving the earth and baby bunnies.”

Annyyywayyy, most of these nutshell portions of Scripture start with words like “Above all else,” or “This is what the Lord requires of you.” In other words, it’s usually a short list that will greatly enhance our lives. One of my favorites says: “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace and work to maintain it.”

This little secret to enjoying life is so valuable that the Lord included it in both the Old and New Testaments. [Psalm 34:12-16 and 1 Peter 3:10-11]

It even comes with a promise. Both passages add, “For the eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil.”

Are we wise enough to recognize evil when we see it? I think so… at least some of the time.

The following true story comes with a disclaimer. Please don’t think that I am crazy enough to believe that David and I are holy. How ridiculous would THAT be! We don’t even volunteer for Kid’s Club at church. Everybody knows that’s where the holy people are.

Anyway, years ago we bought a house. It was full, in some rooms from floor to ceiling with almost seventy five years of junk.

I know… probably not our wisest move. But it had a great porch and was right beside our church. Every time we’d make a little headway cleaning out the old place, the former owner would stop by, barge in and want stuff that she had not been able to see before we uncovered it. One day, David told her no. He latched the screen door and would not let her in. [We had closed on the house two months earlier.]

Merciful heavens she was hot! I seriously expected fire to leap from the bowls of hell and consume the man. If she’d had her way, David would be a smoking pile of ashes right now.

Later our sweet pastor’s wife innocently commented. “She might be wicked.”

I tipped my head at the understatement. Then I realized. We weren’t just dealing with a disgruntled person. We were actually in the presence of evil. I hadn’t recognized it. Therefore I had no idea how to deal with it.

Has evil ever knocked on your door? Did you recognize her?* Does she speak words of fear, temptation, anger, or lies?

Latch the door. Turn away. Pursue peace.

She may swear at you, stamp her foot, pound on the door and demand her way. But if you truly desire good days, ignore her little tantrum. Maybe have a bowl of ice cream or call your lawyer to draw up a polite letter.

She has no place in your life. You owe her nothing. In a nutshell, turn from evil. Seek peace. God watches over those who do right. His ears are open to your prayers.

When’s Your Then

by   July 31, 2018 with No Comments

Before the days of GPS or cell phones, I was driving home alone in an unfamiliar city late one night, and took a wrong exit on a dark, desolate road. Initially, turning around seemed a little tricky, so I kept on going, thinking I would eventually get to the right road.

Within a few minutes, I began to feel that the only way home may be to click my heels together three times, and repeat, “There’s no place like home.” It got scary. After some aimless wandering, I THEN decided to pray. As soon as I breathed that prayer, I knew immediately to turn around and head back to where I made the wrong turn. I then got back on the right road.

It reminded me of the story of Jonah. He wasn’t lost, but he did go one direction when the Lord told him to go a different direction. Big mistake!

He ended up in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.

Jonah 2:1 says, THEN Jonah prayed. Yes, the prayer came after he spent what surely seemed like an eternity in the belly of that fish.

According to Jonah 2:2-9, it was a prayer of thanksgiving! He was thankful he hadn’t drowned! The NIV version of this text expresses it as Jonah calling on the Lord in his distress – he had been hurled into the depths, the currents had swirled about him, the engulfing waters threatened him, and the seaweed was wrapped around his head.

That’s a pretty clear visual to provide during a prayer!

After his prayer, Jonah 2:10 happened, “And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.”

He was finally set free from the belly of the fish!
*Why did he not go the direction he should have to start with?
*Why did he not pray sooner?

*Why would we even ask those questions, when we do the same thing? We let it get really ugly and messy… hurled into the depths, currents swirling, engulfing waters, seaweed wrapped around our heads…before we pray.

Many of us have not had just one of those moments – but have had a lifetime of them. Choices made that were not taking us the right direction.

But… then.

‘Then’ means ‘at that time,’ and ‘when’ we have a ‘then’ seems to be exactly ‘when’ we remember to pray. Aren’t you thankful that God allows us to turn around and get back on the right road?

So, when’s your then?

***Contact me and let me know how your then’s go at annfarabee@gmail.com. It seems ‘fishy’ to me that it has been a ‘long time no sea’ for some of you, but no need to feel ‘gill-ty.’ I’m just glad you read my columns!

The Best

by   June 30, 2018 with No Comments

Is that the best you can do? The words were not said in a positive tone, and my sixth grade student stared at the test results his mother was referring to, in order to avoid making eye contact. We were in the middle of a parent-teacher conference, and she seemingly was implying that he had not tried hard enough. As his teacher, I had seen him work diligently – but he was just not ‘quite there’ with some of the concepts.

I truly felt it was the best he could do. The words the mother said may have been meant to encourage – but they actually really stung.

The memory of that conference came to mind while I was writing a recent column. I had been working on it for what felt like a really long time. A bit frustrated, I put my head down on the table where I was working, and prayed, “Lord, give me the words.” Almost immediately, these words popped into my heart, “Is that the best you can do?”

I looked around to see who had asked me that. I sat up. I sat back. I folded my arms. I looked around again. I looked at my words on the computer screen in front of me. I thought. And I thought. And I thought some more. I smiled – I think I laughed.

“Yes,” I responded aloud, “that is the best I can do.”
Happily, I submitted myself to that truth – and submitted my column to be published.
I was just going to let the Lord take it from there.
Maybe it was not the best someone else could have done – but I’m me – and it was the best I could do.

God made me. God knows me. God loves me. God knows my abilities… and my limitations. God brought me to this place – in this time – for a purpose. He has given me the assignments that I have.

If God only called the qualified, I would have very few assignments.
Instead, God qualifies the called.

I began to think back over my life, with those words in mind: Is that the best you can do?

Honestly, there have been way too many times the answer would have been a resounding, “No, I definitely did not do my best. I did what I wanted to do, instead.”

I cannot go back and recover those times, but neither can Adam, Eve, David, Jonah, Peter – just to name a few – who may not have always done their best in everything, either.

But…it is probably best that we stop trying to compare ourselves to others, and instead seek only the approval of the One who created us. Then, our lives would be a whole lot less complicated – and our joy would be a whole lot more full.

If we do our best – God will do the rest.

And… it will be best – if we can learn to rest – in that.

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