God’s Favor

by   May 15, 2024 with No Comments

By Ed Traut


Genesis 39:23  The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

  • We can not often choose our circumstances and are sometimes even bewildered on how we even landed in such a place.
  • No matter what, God will always bless and prosper us if we will look to Him.
  • God will give us success in every single situation.  We belong to Him and His favor is on our lives.

Prayer:  My Father I thank You for Your goodness and Your mercy and that You watch me night and day and that You give me success.  I will not react or be concerned about tomorrow or my circumstances. I will prosper because You are with me and I will be a shining light and testimony to all by Your grace.  Amen.

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

A Long Time in Coming

by   May 14, 2024 with No Comments

By Rhonda Sassano

A Long Time Coming

Yesterday, I was out for a walk with my baby granddaughter.  It was a beautiful day and we were traveling along the Greenway, a trail that runs alongside a shallow waterway that is marshy at points and occasionally deepens into a little brook that gurgles and splashes.  My thoughts turned to all the changes that are occurring in my life right now.  There’s a bunch!  And changes are challenging enough by themselves; add depression to the mix and ka-POW, we might have a situation!  But with a little startle, I realized I hadn’t felt ‘depressed’ in a couple weeks.  Had it really been that long, I wondered?  Maybe more like a few days in a row?  But no, as I thought back over the last 21 days, the truth was that I had NOT had any sense of desperation, any hopelessness, any thoughts of suicide.  Although I had wanted to give into the urge to ‘call someone’ and just cry a few times, those passed when I chose to focus on the Lord being all I needed, reminding myself, even propelling, my thoughts to His love and care for me. 

What had made the difference, I mused.  All my situations were the same or worse.  All the changes were still moving towards me at an alarming pace. I had no more answers than before.  There was only more … comfort, more strength.  More determination to “do it right this time.”  I asked the Holy Spirit to show me what was the hinge point, what started the turnaround.  A children’s song came to mind, “We’re following the leader.”  I started to sing it softly, and the words began to rewrite themselves in my heart.  Soon, it was this:  “I’m following the Shepherd, the Shepherd, the Shepherd.  I’m following the Shepherd, wherever He may lead.”  And the next verse went like this:  “When I don’t know what’s happening, what’s happening, what’s happening.  When I don’t know what’s happening, I will trust in Him.”  Now the tears started.  And a third verse came with a little struggle, “When I can’t see around the bend, around the bend, around the bend.  When I can’t see around the bend, His hand is holding me.”  And then my heart was straining to express all my gratefulness for His faithfulness!  I certainly hadn’t made it easy for Him to love me these last several months, and I’m positive He waited in vain for me so many times to just hand Him my heart!   (And the last verse I have forgotten, but it ended with “my trust in Him will be.”  Yes, more tears 😉

But the song, affirming though it was, didn’t answer my question.  I decided the answer would come in time, and it did. 

About two months ago, my therapist told me she couldn’t see me anymore.  Apparently, her company had made some changes and some clients were being … pushed out.  I had already been waiting for two weeks for an appointment when she notified me of the change.  I was NOT happy about this one bit!  But having zero choice and zero options, I turned to the Lord.  It was in a very desperate moment that a very big “hinge point” happened.  It was not realized at the time, but looking back, with the Holy Spirit’s nudge, I can see it now.  What was it?  I decided to lay on the altar and be still.  I put reminders in my phone, every waking hour, that read “IAFNIWFNIACWN”  What in the world???  (Sorry!  I love acronyms, and my phone is easily seen by everyone in my family, so… ;-D)

It stands for this “I ask for nothing I want for nothing I am content with now.”

The searing pain that gripped my heart every time those alarms went off!  But I diligently repeated the phrase over and over again. Not just at the reminders, but every time I wanted to buy something I couldn’t afford at the moment.  Every time I longed for my own house.  Every time I missed a friend I couldn’t go and visit.  Every time I wanted to spend more time with my daughter or my grandbaby.  Every time my wake-up alarm declared “Get ready for work” and every time I didn’t have opportunity to create or meditate or do any of the things that are helpful at keeping depression from taking over.  

After about 4 or 5 weeks of “IAFNIWFNIACWN,” at a new revelation, it became “IAGFNIWNEIACWN.”  “I am grateful for now, I want nothing else, I am content with now.”  I made it a point to stop and focus my heart on these words, a paraphrase of “in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” This phrase, in particular I think, propelled me forward onto a new platform of strength and joy.  I know for certain that the determination to keep doing it, to maintain the push, was not my own.  Just like the Holy Spirit overtook my own spirit in an extreme moment of deepest hopelessness, He had overtaken it consistently and gave me the wherewithal, if not the desire, to press into these prayers. 

Know what?  Prayer works.  Scripture works.  It took some time, and I didn’t even notice the change… but when I found seeds of truth, I planted them instead of throwing them out because they didn’t fit what I felt.  And listening to the Holy Spirit, I kept them watered and pulled the weeds and moved them out of the extreme heat, and basically put in the work.  Now, a mere handful of weeks later, I’m living a harvest of peace, joy, and strength I didn’t know were available to me.  AND I AM BEYOND GRATEFUL! 

No.  Joy and peace and strength do not fix everything.  Staying on the altar doesn’t either.  But there is an…  an unexpected fulfillment in complete surrender.  Hard to explain, but not hard to sense. 

So in the realization that depression wasn’t taking me over any longer, I cautiously looked around for it.  I saw it, over in the corner, kinda trying to hide.  A small blob of dirty goo.  As I stared at it, the blob started to inch a little closer.  I quickly looked away!  Glancing back, the blob had ceased to move.  Whew!  Ignoring it works!  But I knew I needed to think about it. 

I asked the Holy Spirit to help me figure out how to keep it small, to the side, NOT in control.  Not ever again.   Gratefulness came to mind.  Relationships.  I could see walls of plexiglass starting to surround the blob.  Creativity.  Meditation.  Those formed the other walls and now the blob was completely encased.  The plexiglass is not perfectly transparent, and the more layers I add, the less the transparency.  So I will be added more layers until the blob is completely concealed!  

Except for the top.  “What about the top?” I asked the Holy Spirit.  “No, no top,” He said.  “You can still reach in anytime.”  But Blob can’t get out without your help.”  Woah.  “You mean…” I started.  “Yup.  If you keep doing what you’re doing:  ignore it, declare gratefulness, pursue relationships, make time for creativity even in a small way, and spend time with Me, Blob will never have power over you again.”  Emotion started to rise, and then abruptly stopped when I acknowledged the weight of this responsibility.  “Is this healing?  I always thought healing came from You, Lord, not from me.”  And then I knew.  Not one good thing that is in me is from me.  Every good thing, and I mean EVERY good thing in me is from HIM.  And I receive it with joy and gratefulness.  Blob, you might always be a “thorn in the flesh,” but His grace is sufficient (to keep it a reminder and not a controlling factor,) to maintain my focus on Jesus, on Who He is, on who I am IN Him and because of Him.  I can be part of what He is doing in my life and in the lives of those around me by His strength and His empowerment.  I don’t live for me, for my desires, for my selfish victimness that wants pity and control.  (uh huh…the flesh lives on.)  But every day, Paul says, “I beat my body into submission…”  Staying on the altar is the only way to keep my flesh submitted to my spirit, which is in a divine, unexplainable, inextricable amalgamation with the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of Jesus Himself…  hallelujah!  With that combination, the only option for me is a win-win!  And it is for YOU, too! 

Appreciation for MOM!!!

by   May 13, 2024 with No Comments

Steve Hartman shows us the importance of showing appreciation. He focuses our attention on a very important person in our lives….our Moms. I know it is a day late, but make sure your Mom knows how much you appreciate her.

My Unsung Hero

by   May 12, 2024 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

What is the last movie you went to see that moved you to tears because it somehow was relatable to your own life? For me, it is the movie Unsung Hero, which debuted two weeks ago at number 2 at the box office. The story focuses on the Smallbone family’s transition to the States from Australia in the Contemporary Christian Music industry. While that aspect gets the story moving, the unsung hero revealed in the story is the one who moves the audience to tears and to hope. She is Helen Smallbone, a devoted wife and mother to 7 children. 

As I watched the movie, I resonated with “Mom” – making the best of uncertainty and seemingly hopeless situations, speaking life and courage for her family’s sake, hiding frustration and fears while screaming them into a pillow. It hit close to my heart because most of us have experienced this as a mom or wife. 

Then, I began to recollect memories of my mother, particularly during childhood. She was wed to my dad, who had a terminal illness, was widowed in her early 30s, co-parented on meager incomes, and watched her mother live with dementia. My mom wasn’t perfect. She would worry and have concerns; we, as her children, also gave her plenty to be concerned about.

I wonder when she had to scream into a pillow. I can recall that maybe twice, she got in the car and went for a drive to cool off, but I am sure she had other ways to release. I feel that connection deeply when I have had to do that myself – to escape smothering realities momentarily and to avoid overreacting regretfully.

I saw her grow just as I grew. I see myself growing, even as my children have grown. Mom and I started off as those hollering moms – you know, the ones that have to raise their voices to get their children’s attention. Thankfully, when my oldest was young, the Holy Spirit helped me grow in that area. If that was an area of weakness, so was my patience. I would say the same for my mom when she was younger. Yet, I witnessed growth in her and myself. 

Do you see the pattern? Moms growing as they parent. God has a beautiful way of sanctifying His people. It can look different for one than for another. Not all need to be mothers to experience this. But, and I speak with some bias, there is nothing quite like the sanctification a mother experiences over the years as she submits to the process and her Lord. I realize the latter part of that sentence is not en vogue, yet there is no denying it. I know what I witnessed in my mother. Sometimes, friends, family, and even my children glorify God in their remarks of good character changes they have seen in me over time. That is enough. 

Consider taking your unsung hero to the theater to see the movie this week. She will feel that you get her. If that is not possible, at least take a moment to reflect on their strength through weakness, allowing you to benefit from their love and care.

Ashlie Miller is in the process of sanctification in mothering 5 children. You may email her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

Compassion

by   May 11, 2024 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            We have two church members who changed their membership from earth to heaven this week. I cannot imagine what their spouses are going through, losing the love of their lives. It has been a long week for our church family. How do you bring comfort to someone who is grieving the loss of someone so dear to them?

            There are two general ways to show compassion for the grieving. The first is simply being sympathetic and understanding their grief. We know it takes time and space to work through the grieving process. It is very important to pray for those going through grief and other difficulties. 

            The second way to show compassion for the grieving is by doing something for them. Many people attend the funeral, which lets the family know that they are not alone in their grief. Sometimes just sitting with the family, your presence, can bring comfort and healing. Sometimes people make meals and send them over to the family. Others find practical ways they can help the family by doing favors or running errands. There is nothing too little for a family in grief.

            Compassion is a necessary ingredient in all our lives, not just when someone is grieving. We all struggle with sin and failure. We make mistakes and we fall down. Compassion means that we find a way to lift each other up. When I fall down, I need compassion and a helping hand. Compassion never leaves a person in a fallen or broken state. It always lifts, encourages, and helps to restore the individual. And we do it with dignity.

            An important part of compassion is apologizing when we do something wrong. A good apology consists of three things: Admitting your wrongdoing, taking responsibility for your behavior, and then finding out how to make things right again. When someone comes to me and apologizes for something they did that was wrong, I always try to say that I accept their apology. I know how hard it is to swallow my pride when I need to apologize, and appreciate when others extend grace to me. I want to do the same for others.

            The surprising thing I learned about compassion this week is celebrating other people’s successes or good fortune is a part of compassion. When someone gets a promotion or a new car or a new house it is important to celebrate with them. Compassion causes your joy to overflow for them and the goodness of God they are experiencing. Showing genuine excitement when others succeed is another form of compassion.

            I have learned something late in life that I wish I knew when I was younger. Many people rarely hear their parents or bosses say that they are proud of their work or accomplishments. Words of praise can be a powerful motivator. We all want to be noticed for our achievements and accomplishments. Taking time to notice and expressing your pride in others can motivate them to achieve greater things. I have witnessed first-hand the power of positive reinforcement with my students.

            Jesus offered compassion to many people when He was here on earth. Every time He healed someone, compassion for their situation moved Him to action. Jesus focused primarily on the Israelites but was moved by compassion for the woman at the well, who was a Samaritan. Jews hated the Samaritans but Jesus demonstrated the Father’s heart of love and compassion for her. She in turn spread the news about Jesus, and He stayed in Samaria for several days ministering to and healing many of the people.

            Compassion drives God’s heart for each one of us. He cares deeply when you are hurting, whether it is physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual pain. He wants to bring healing to your life. He knows about your situation and wants to help you find restoration and hope again. You haven’t gone too far. No one is beyond God’s reach if you will only turn around and open your heart to His love. He understands your situation and has compassion for you. Accept His love. Receive His forgiveness. Allow His healing power to set you free.

            I want to encourage you to allow God’s compassionate heart to touch yours. You have to open the door for Him. He will not open your door and force His way in. He awaits your invitation…He is knocking on the door of your heart. His unconditional love and acceptance are on the other side of that door. It’s up to you. I pray that you will make room for Jesus in your heart.

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

The Eye of the Storm

by   May 10, 2024 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

The Eye of the Storm

All around me the COVID-19 storm swirls, and disagreement concerning it seems to grow more each day. The ordeal tries us. But during this morning’s ride, I found myself in what appeared to be the eye of this raging storm.

A heavy, dark cloud cover floated in over my right shoulder from the west. It calmed the morning breeze and everything else. But for the birdsong: The brown thrasher talked from the holly hedgerow to anyone who was interested; A bluebird chattered as it flew to rest on the roof of an abandoned titmouse nesting box; One robin called to anyone listening while gathering morsels from the drainage ditch out front; And a water scattering of splashing from the birdbath told of a cleaner cardinal; A clamoring from above the tall pine trees revealed a chasing away of an intruder by the vigilant crows.

The sweet aroma from the privet across the road covered the scene like a mother’s blanket  spread over her child. Its sweetness floated to the pine tops, lay across the ground, and wafted through the air giving me cause to inhale deeply its strong, yet relaxing scent.

Riding into this calm of the storm, I hand-cranked vigorously and maintained, at least on my odometer, 16 miles per hour. Listening and seeing and smelling it all, I rode into the power of this moment, applauding its grace.

Thirty minutes later, the ride finished, I knew something special had occurred. Yes, I ride my stationary handcycle here next to my shop each morning. I see the coming of day, greet walking neighbors, compliment their dogs and children, and manage to break a bit of a sweat while exercising arms and lungs. But this morning’s ride was more than mere exercising on a stationary handcycle. A gifted grace of peace had happened there beneath the thirty-nine mature pines. A calm after the first onslaught from the COVID-19 and a calm before its next; a moment of nature’s balm; a gift from God far from the turmoil raging outside.

No limits with Cerebral Palsy

by   May 9, 2024 with No Comments

By David Freeze

    I first met Kayla Sechler when we covered her sister Kassidy’s battle with heart disease. Kayla has her own impressive story about how she approaches life. Kayla has Cerebral Palsy, yet she’s taking life by the horns and charging forward.

    Back before Covid, I was able to see a mid-40’s female teacher with full blown Cerebral Palsy train for a year to finish her 5K. It remains the most moving experience related to running that I have ever witnessed when she crossed the finish line. Kayla is made of the same mold and just as inspiring as she committed to do the Love Thy Neighbor 5K last March 16th.   

     Cerebral Palsy is caused by an abnormality in the brain that happens before, during or after birth. Kayla was diagnosed at 18 months old with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. This form of Cerebral Palsy affects the muscle tone and spasticity of the muscles. Luckily for Kayla, it only affects her legs.  Kayla said, “The form of CP I have affects the spasticity of my muscles, meaning that my brain is constantly sending signals to my leg muscles to continuously contract, causing stiffness.”

    The reason Kayla chose to participate in this 5K was to benefit her sister, while also completing a post-surgical goal to complete a 5K that she set back in January 2022 after her own big procedure. Doctors straightened her legs by breaking both femurs and her left tibia, along with an arch reconstruction on the left foot, tendon lengthening in both legs and a split tendon transfer in the right foot. After surgery she had two metal rods, 18 screws and two metal plates to hold her bones together as they healed. The eventual removal of the screws and plates helped with pain and her ability to walk. 

    Kayla described her 5K effort, “I felt great until about the mile and a half mark. My legs started getting a little shaky and I started feeling tired. I think what kept me going the most was having my former teacher, Ashley Lanning, by my side through the entire race. The final mile was the hardest for me as I was worn out. Having my sister, Kas, finish the race with me was super special and something I will never forget.”


    To offset the effects of CP, Kayla uses constant stretching and moving to keep her muscles as active as possible so that they don’t tighten up to the point where she is unable to walk without assistance or wheelchair bound.  

    Kayla’s calendar is full. She said, “I am a leader for Young Life of Rowan County, a program for high schoolers to come together and worship with one another. I am also a leader of a group called Circle of Friends for those with intellectual and physical disabilities at First Baptist Church in Salisbury, NC. I volunteered at Special Olympics during the past year and have been a volunteer for Vacation Bible School at First Reformed Church in Landis, NC.”


     While crediting her parents, Kayla said, “They have never failed to make sure I had everything I needed, whether it was seeing the best doctors or putting food on the table, my parents do absolutely everything in their power to provide for both my sister and me. At the age of four, I became a big sister, and I have to say that has been the biggest blessing in my life. We may not always agree with one another but with everything we have both gone through, she remains by my side through it all.”

   A 21-year-old junior at Catawba College majoring in Sport Management, Kayla hopes to eventually complete her master’s degree. In just a few short weeks, she begins an internship with the Winston-Salem Dash, a minor league affiliate to the Chicago White Sox. At Catawba, she does data analysis for the baseball team, and in the fall she begins volunteering her time with the football team as a football operations student manager.


    Kayla said, “I have many goals, but my biggest dream for as long as I can remember is working in the world of sports and being the gateway for other women with disabilities who want to do the same. After watching countless hours of sporting events, ranging from football to baseball, with a little bit of collegiate basketball and cheering on my sister in her many sporting events, I love being in the atmosphere of sports.” 

    And she added, “I am planning to do another 5K sometime in November that benefits Shriners Children’s Hospital-Greenville in South Carolina.”

     Kayla is a winner and a success in the making in all her endeavors.      A short update on Kassidy includes a recent hospital stay to change heart medications that can only be used short term. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated for both girls and their family.

Serving Others

by   May 8, 2024 with No Comments

By Ed Traut


1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

  • When we can, we ought to serve and whatever talent or ability we have to use for His glory.
  • Serving others pleases God greatly.  It is as great as the first commandment – loving our neighbor. 
  • Grace comes in various forms – Gods grace manifest in so many different ways.  We serve a God of great variety and great depth, more than we can comprehend.

Prayer:  Lord I surrender myself and whatever gift is in me to be led by Your spirit and I trust in You to bring about Your purpose and plan in my life and use me to bless others and serve them.  I am willing and I yield myself to that in Jesus name.  Amen. 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Crazy

by   May 7, 2024 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

Do you ever get the impression that the world has gone completely crazy? Wisdom has left the building… the whole planet for that matter. I happened upon a comforting thought yesterday in the little book of Ephesians. Listen to this:

Speaking of Christ Jesus, it says. “Now He is far above any ruler, or authority, or power, or leader, or anything else- not only in this world, but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ.” -from Ephesians 1: 21,22

Apparently, I can rest in His wisdom. HE is in charge. I am not. Neither is anyone else really, no matter their title. This is not a political statement. It’s just a reminder from a Biblical point of view. Jesus Christ is above all earthly authority. Perhaps I should trust Him.

This is My Story

by   May 6, 2024 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

This is my story

This is my story. This is my song. Praising my Savior. All the day long.

The choir director would be flapping his arms all around.

When we got to the word ALL on the last verse, he held his arms up and we would stretch out and hold AAAA-LLLL as long as his arms were in the air.

Now, I occasionally still hear that song at church, so in my mind, I always stretch out the word ALL as we sing!

Why?

Because ALL is one of my favorite words.

Why?

Because ALL means ALL.

Not just some of the day, but ALL of the day!

Yes, I was supposed to praise my Savior ALL the day!

How was I supposed to do that?

At the time, as a teenager, I had a secret life that made me feel less worthy in the eyes of those at my church – or so I thought. I had problems. My days were certainly NOT 24 hours a day praise worthy – or so I thought.

After church on Sunday night, I would go home to a father who had been drinking.

It was my secret life and I was ashamed.

I was jealous of the others in my youth group.

They went home to perfect families – or so I thought.

When I went home, I took fear with me.

I carried fear into my home, and took fear to bed with me.

I would lay there with my eyes open, hoping that sleep would come.

But I knew that at some point, my father would be drinking and begin fussing at my mother.

It was a small mill house and I could hear every word.

I was scared.

I began to stay after school to help my teachers grade papers.

I wanted to stay at school ALL the day long.

Coincidence? No.

It was a God-incidence.

God was preparing me for a lifetime of teaching.

How are we supposed to praise our Savior all day long?

Guess what? It is as easy – because Jesus gives us joy – no matter our circumstance.

It is easy because Satan has no power over us – for we are children of God.

It is easy because we have access to grace.

It is easy because we are justified by faith.

It is easy because we can speak the name of Jesus – and He hears us!

I have a powerful testimony.

It is hard for me to understand how I was able to touch my Savior at a young age and how Jesus removed my fear and replaced it with peace – even in the middle of the night.

Your story is just as powerful – no matter whether it was full of trouble or whether you never had a problem.

Share your story.

Ask someone to share their story with you.

Sharing our story or hearing someone else’s story lifts us up spiritually.

It increases our faith.

Maybe your story is this, “I don’t really have a story. I always went to church. I grew up in a Christian home.”  Guess what? That is a great story! Share it. Offer hope.

Go home  to your friends and tell them the great things the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. Mark 5:19

Sure, going to a foreign country to share Jesus is powerful – but we must also share Jesus in our homeland. The need is great.

“This is my story. This is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long…”

The next time you sing this in church – sing  the word ALL extra loudly – just for me.

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