Thankful for Mom(s)

by   May 16, 2026 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Thankful for Mom(s)

            I grew up watching the Brady Bunch and Leave it to Beaver. These were iconic families. They were perfect families. We watched because we enjoyed the show but I think there was a small part of all of us that wished our families were like those families. We wanted the perfect mom and dad and lots of love.

            No one had that kind of perfect childhood. No parent, no matter how hard they try or want to be, is perfect. As adults we all make bad choices because we live in a fallen world. Parents have to try and do the best they can in each situation. Sometimes things turn out great, other times things aren’t so great.

            I feel lucky and blessed to have grown up in a home where my needs were met. I had good food, nice clothes, and a good roof over my head. There are many people who aren’t so lucky. I grew up in a safe and stable environment. My parents were not perfect but they did the best they could for our family.  

            Since Mother’s Day was last weekend, I was thinking specifically about my mother. My mom was a stay-at-home mom. She has always been active in the community and until recently she was active in church. Mom has always loved a bargain and passed that love on to her four children. Mom has always loved gardening and still loves planting flowers and growing vegetables. She has also been an avid reader. She would sometimes have several books going at the same time. Both my parents could be found reading when we went on family vacations.

            Mom has a green thumb and she knows how to revive those plants that are on the discount table. Mom is a very creative person. She ran a flower business when I was a kid and arranged the flowers for my wedding. Her creativity wasn’t limited to flowers; she could write, too. She writes an annual Christmas letter to family and friends, a tradition my brother and I maintain.

            My mother taught me right from wrong. Switches were out of style when I was coming along so she used the metal spatula. Sometimes all she had to do was rattle the drawer that held the spatula to get us back in line. Mom believes in treating people right and she modeled that for us kids. She taught us to believe and look for the best in people and I really appreciate that and try to practice that as I teach my students.

            I feel lucky that my mom is still with us. I have been reflecting on the idea that sometimes God gives us “extra” moms. Naturally, a mother-in-law becomes extra mom. My wife and I found a special person when we were in college who became like an extra mom for us. She and her husband gave us some home-cooked meals and took us on adventures. I told my Dad’s significant other that she was like an extra Mom. I believe we can’t have too many people investing in us, caring about us, speaking words of encouragement, and helping guide us through the many ins and outs of life.

            The Bible encourages us to honor our parents, and it’s nice that we set aside a day in May to honor moms and a day in June to honor dads. If we are lucky enough to have good parents, we can receive great deposits from them. I’ll admit that sometimes we pick up our parent’s quirks within those deposits, but that is part of what makes life interesting. Still, we should stop, reflect, and appreciate all that our parents did to raise us and encourage us to spread our wings and fly. My mom did a good job raising her four children and helping each of us grow into responsible adults. I honor her for the good job that she did with each of us.

            I want to encourage you to reflect on your life and consider the impact your parents, especially your mom, had on your trajectory in life. Remember to be thankful for all that she did and sacrificed for you. Take time to express that thanks to her. If your mom has passed then let the seeds she planted in your heart grow and produce a harvest in her memory. Moms live so selflessly all their lives, wanting to make sure that their kids grow up to have a positive impact in their little corner of the world. Thanks, Mom, for a job well done. I hope we make you proud. I love you, Mom! 

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

Irises

by   May 15, 2026 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

 Irises

On the Lake Norman road where we lived was a brick rambler with many outbuildings, a few derelict cars scattered about, and other items. It was a bit over-run to say the least. However, the first spring we were there I admired a long row of glorious irises near the road—peach, yellow, purple, and red-all of various shades- seemed to flag me down each time I drove past the overgrown yard. On one of our outings, I pointed them out to Mike.

Mike and I had been competitors during our high school wrestling careers. He was a year behind me, but for two years we faced each other. Strangely enough, when Mary Ann and I moved to Mooresville, where he lived, he and I re-united. Terri his wife was an agent for a beauty product that my wife used and during their first conversation their husband’s names emerged and when Terri told Mike about the conversation, he remembered me. The four of us met for lunch, and Mike and I began sharing a weekly time. Two old competitors who shared a great deal, such as growing up in different but small cotton mill towns.  However, we differed on religion and politics which led to lively discussions. I still remember him once looking at me during one such talk and asking, “Are you that naïve?”

Being a native of the area and an engineer for Duke Power, the company that built lake Norman, Mike was a source of knowledge of the lake and its area. We often drove through the vicinity as he shared history of the flooding of the Catawba River and the rise of not only the water, but the energy for which the lake was designed. Once we went to Troutman for him to show me where his father and he would fish next to a now flooded grist mill, and he told me that the Route 150  metal bridge that had spanned the river was still there, but just under about 100 feet of lake water. I once asked him what was most difficult in building the lake and he grinned, saying, “Getting it level.”

On one spring day, as we were passing the house with the irises, I asked him if he would help me out. I explained that I wanted to ask the owner  about the row of flowers, but my wheelchair made it impossible to approach the house. Without a pause he said, “Pull in.”

The curved drive led us past even more “stuff” than was visible from the road. The yard was jammed with discarded items giving it the look of a permanent yard sale. The carport of the 1960’s rambler had no car, but many other items-such as riding lawnmowers. However, as soon as I parked, Mike got out and walked to the door. An elderly woman wearing a housecoat answered his knock, heard his explanation about a man in a wheelchair, and gracefully walked down the brick steps to stand in a space of the carport to talk with the man in the wheelchair—me.

Mrs. Bumgardner and her husband had had a farm, but Duke Power claimed it through Eminent Domain to build the lake. Their farm had stretched to the now flooded Catawba River basin, and they had to move to the new brick rambler to make room for the lake in the early 1960’s . Her husband was deceased, but a granddaughter lived with her and helped manage things . She seemed delighted that I admired her irises and gave me permission to come back and remove a few for our garden “down the road.”

Before long, after the bloom, Mary Ann and I returned to remove a few irises. I most liked  the deep, almost black, purple ones and chose several of those, but also a few white/purple mixed ones and some pale, yellow ones. On his next visit Mike helped me plant them in a small bed beside our garden gate. They did well, and for many springs we enjoyed their brightness in the corner beside our garden gate.

But everything else changed while the little iris garden grew, spreading its glory in that corner.

Mike’s cancer returned. Years before he had battled prostate cancer, and now Terri and he travelled often to Durham for treatments. Yet, on each weekly visit with me he stoically shared his medical report as we continued our shared time. He always called before coming and would ask, “Want a coffee?” After arriving with my coffee and his soda, he would sit on my shop deck and talk about his family, especially his grandson’s approaching wedding. He would do small, but important things for me in the shop or yard—such as hang a bird box on a pine tree. He would also rake pine needles for mulching in his yard. Before long we stopped going to lunch because that took too much of our available time. We sat in the shop and talked because shared words became more important than food. I can’t remember his last visit to my shop, but I know that it was one like all our times before. No food but lots of nourishment.

I have read that the last sense we lose is our hearing. So the last time I saw Mike, who was then in hospice, he did not know I was there, but I held his hand and told him many things. I like to believe he heard me.

Not long afterwards we sold our Lake Norman house to return to the Shenandoah Valley. But I told the purchasers that I was taking a few of the irises.

Now, at the end of April 2026, there is a flush of dark, almost black, purple, and other colors gracing a spot near our back garden gate.

Adalie Harrison Nails Her First Marathon!

by   May 14, 2026 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Adalie Harrison Nails Her First Marathon!

    Originally signed by Lenoir Rhyne University for basketball, Adalie Harrison didn’t waste much time before she moved on to running track and cross country. Then she transferred to USC Upstate, where she continued running while working toward her nursing degree. Now employed as an OR nurse for Atrium Health, Harrison has continued running. She took a big step forward with her running last Saturday, April 25th, by completing her first marathon (26.2 miles) in Nashville, Tennessee.

    Harrison said, “I decided to do the Rock and Roll Marathon just to say I have done one in my life. I have a lot of things I want to do, and the list seems to get bigger and longer every time I look at it. But that is okay because we only get one life and have to make the best of it! I picked Nashville because I love to travel and have never been there. It was a perfect fit, not too far from home and easy to make the experience a weekend trip.”

    I asked Adalie to list her favorite running memories. She said, “Well, there are a lot of those- having the school record at Erwin for the mile, winning first place in the county/conference in high school, qualifying for regional and state meets, meeting some of my best friends in college through running and breaking 20 minutes in the 5K, both in cross country and track.

    Adalie started running in 6th grade with Girls on the Run at Erwin Middle School, wanting something to do with the school. Back then, 6th graders could not play sports, so seeing GOTR as her only opportunity, she took it.

    Addressing immediate running plans after the marathon, Adalie said, “As of right now, I don’t have any major plans, I was looking into training for a Hyrox competition next but two little birdies have told me I should find a fast marathon to run. I can try to qualify for Boston as I am only 10 mins off after my first ever marathon on a hilly course.” 

   I asked Adalie to describe her marathon. She said, “I know I was putting in a hard effort, but did not feel like it until mile 18, I felt great the whole way, especially the first 15 miles. I was actually told to slow down but I didn’t since I felt so good. I was about 7:45-50 pace through the first 15 then started to hit low 8s followed by some low 9s, then got back into the 7:50s the last 2 miles to the finish. The best memory without a doubt is the amount of people cheering me on even though they have no idea who I am. (Adalie’s first name was on her bib) I loved all the funny signs people made saying some of the most random things and got lost in reading all of them. The worst point was realizing at mile 16.5 that the course got changed and from mile 17-23 were all big hills, Originally the course was supposed to flatten out after mile 18. The unexplained course change netted 26.65 miles, more than the regulation 26.2 miles.”

   “I slowed down a lot on the back end on the hills because they were so awful, people were falling out left and right. I have never seen so many people walking in a race. My slowest miles were 22 (9:26) and 24 (9:22), both of which had the biggest and longest hills to climb, On mile 22, I was rethinking this whole marathon thing.” 

     Always cool, Adalie sweats little on even the hottest days. She said, “A couple standing near my mom at the finish thought I didn’t even look tired or as if I had been sweating. My coworkers saw the pictures and accused me of freshening up before the photos.” She never got sore afterwards, suggesting there is more in the tank.

    Adalie’s hobbies and other interests include anything exercise: running, lifting, hiking, photography, being outside and traveling. She said, “I’ve been to a lot of places. Also, I have gotten into reading since being out of school and not studying, but you know that will change soon! I will be off to nurse practitioner school this fall. Otherwise, anything that gets the heart rate up. I have been skydiving, cliff jumping into the ocean, swimming with sharks, and rode along for stunts in an aerobatic high-performance airplane. Call me an adrenaline junkie!” 

    Our next local run is the Girls on the Run 5K Celebration at Salisbury Community Park on Saturday, May 2nd.  And the Special Olympics Torch Run is set for Thursday, May 7th. Look for more information on both at www.salisuryrowanrunners.org

Buttered Cats

by   May 13, 2026 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

David opened the can and put it on the seat between us. His reward for going grocery shopping was a tiny splurge on cashews. We headed home when suddenly a little dog ran out into the road. David hit the brakes and screeched to a stop. Someone’s pet was spared that day, but the cashews slid forward and dumped head first, scattering across the floorboard. He looked at me and said, “Next time, the dog dies.”

It’s like dropping toast. It will always land butter side down. I heard that if one were to strap buttered bread to the back of a cat they would spin indefinitely because cats always land on their feet. Could this perhaps be a source of alternative energy?

Why not? Who would’ve thought we’d use corn for fuel? Maybe someone should try buttered cats.

My apologies to animal lovers everywhere. I’ve just confessed that my husband loves cashews more than dogs and I would butter a cat to propel an engine if it would save me a buck.

Sorry.

Have you noticed when watching a movie like Quigley Down Under [which is one of my favorites] that the disclaimer at the end says “No animals were harmed in the making of this movie.” Never mind the poor guy being dragged behind the horse… or the Aborigines being pushed off the cliff. But the horse is okay.

I may sound mean and uncaring about animals, but I’ve been known to set a dish of milk out for a stray kitty meowing at my back door.

I wonder if she’d like a piece of buttered toast to go with that.

To Mom, with Love and Regrets

by   May 10, 2026 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

If this weekend is difficult because Mom is gone, I write this for you:

Imagine writing a letter to Mom who has passed away – it may be pretty raw. For many, Mother’s Day can be a lonely, sad day. Memories of gathering for picnics or brunch, going shopping, or taking a special trip can be replaced by wondering what to do with the Sunday or weekend once Mom is no longer present.

Your mother may have died suddenly, or you may have had a long goodbye. While we may celebrate that our mothers are no longer living with pain, sometimes there is still a pain that lingers inside us. It’s something more than grief of lost things – the person, the relationship, the future memories to be missed. For some, there are things left unsaid, sorrow over past actions, or regrets about what we could not do or prevent.

Maybe your family didn’t say things that should be said, like “I love you,” “I’m proud of you,” “I’m sorry,” or “I forgive you.” There was no great animosity in the relationship; things went well, in general, but there was no real verbal declaration of true love.

Or perhaps, you live with your head down in shame and guilt over the lack of honor given to your mother during a season of rebellion. It may not have even been for most of your relationship, or perhaps it was. Her patience and prayers during your rebellion welcomed you back home, but now that she’s gone, you wish you could go back in time to undo what was done. Wasted years, we may call them.

Some children learn of their mom’s health issues too late in the game. Mom was trying to protect you from hurt, decisions, financial or other obligations. You believe you could have done more if you had known earlier. And you feel guilt, or maybe even anger.

“Does she know how I feel? Does she know I have regrets? Does she know I am sorry?” If we could write a letter to her, maybe it would be filled with things like that. But what would she say? I cannot speak for all mothers, but for the Christian mother, here are two things we know are true:

Firstly, God Himself has wiped away all of Mom’s tears. The sorrows she carried on earth are healed perfectly! (See Revelation 7:17 and 21:4). Have you had seasons where you get past hurt or manage it in the moment? That is only a foretaste of the grace God bestows upon His beloved in eternity – and when He wipes away tears, He does so completely and perfectly.

Secondly, Mom is not remembering any of the former earthly things – any losses, any hurts, but even the wins and gains all fade when before the presence of God (see Isaiah 65:17). That comforts my heart! She is so overwhelmed before her Maker, Savior, and Sustainer that everything pales in comparison. She could not remember even if she wanted to.

On this Mother’s Day weekend, for those without Mom, remember these truths and live in the light of love and forgiveness. If your mom is still here, do the best that you can, considering the relationship, to let her know you love her.

Ashlie Miller’s mom is in heaven, but with five children of her own, Mother’s Day is still sweet. You may email her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

People Need the Lord

by   May 9, 2026 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

People Need the Lord

            When I walk out to my garden I can’t believe how great it looks this year. I don’t have everything in, but what’s in is doing well. One thing I am doing differently this year is leaving the leaves from last fall on the beds and just pushing them back to plant the vegetables. My hope is that the leaves will keep the weeds down.

            After a very warm April, I am enjoying the cooler start to May. The long-term forecast is suggesting that we might enjoy a cooler than average May before a hot summer kicks off. It makes for nice gardening and walking weather. I know the hot weather is on the way, but I am going to enjoy the relatively nice weather for now.

            I helped my Mom plant some vegetables and flowers last week. We had fun working in her backyard. My brother and I created some raised beds for her that we planted with vegetables. We enjoyed getting our hands in the dirt and planting things. I think I got my love of gardening from my Mom. She has always loved growing flowers and vegetables.

            While I enjoy vegetable gardening immensely, I appreciate the beauty of flowers and the awakening of spring each year. Growing vegetables and flowers stirs me up spiritually. I love seeing people grow spiritually. I guess that is why I love teaching Sunday school.

            I did a three-week series in our Sunday school class about sowing seeds in various types of soil. I encouraged my class to remember the correlation between gardening and spiritual growth. We need to prepare hearts to hear the gospel message so they can receive the seeds of faith that will grow and produce a harvest.

            We know that God’s Word is the seed from the parable of the sower. God’s seed is alive and active and ready to produce a harvest if it lands in good soil. People’s hearts are in all kinds of conditions. Some are as hard as concrete. They won’t hear anything from God. Others have some soil mixed with all kinds of hard places that will keep the seeds from growing. Others have too many cares choking out whatever God wants to do in their lives. Finally, we have those whose hearts are ready to receive God’s Word and produce a harvest for Him.

            Every person needs the Lord no matter what the condition of their heart. We all have pain in our lives and we need God’s healing. The problem is that people’s hearts are in different places. Part of our job is to pray and ask God to guide us in helping people receive Him.

            Sometimes we have to break up the hard soil, remove rocks, and pull weeds to help prepare the hearts that are far from God. We also have to be patient and allow God to work. We want to plant a seed today and go harvest a crop tomorrow. It doesn’t work that way. We have to give the Holy Spirit time and space to work. That’s why it is critical for us to be sensitive to God’s Spirit as we reach out to others. We don’t know where they are or how receptive their hearts are to the Lord.

            We all know people who are distant from God. Hurting and broken people are all around us. People need the Lord. Our hearts need to be tender towards the people and sensitive to hear God. What He wants us to do is different for each person. Everyone can pray for those who are far from God. Our prayers make a big difference and can change circumstances. People who need the Lord need us to be sensitive, available, tender, and compassionate. People will open their hearts if they know that we love them just like God loves them.

            I want to encourage you to pray for those in your life who need to open their hearts to God. Pray that God will work on their soil and prepare a place for His Word and love to land. Ask God what your role is in that process. How can He use you to help draw the person closer? Remember God is patient with each one of us and that it is His Spirit that draws a person into a relationship with the Father and Jesus. Often He will use us, but we need to be humble and available. People need the Lord and God will use you to help plant the seeds of love and hope in the hearts of those who don’t know Him.

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

Our God Given Authority

by   May 8, 2026 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

  • The devil has worked very hard to withhold understanding from us; that we have complete authority over him.
  • This authority is given purely by faith in Jesus and because He said so.
  • We can put into reality and action that the enemy can not harm us in any way.

Prayer:  Lord, I do confess and believe these words that I have authority over the enemy and all the attacks of the enemy and that by Your command he has to obey and submit and be yielded to the authority that You have given me.  Help me Lord to exercise it.  Holy Spirit direct me I pray in Jesus name.  Amen.


Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

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