Total Well Being

by   June 14, 2023 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Numbers 6:26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. ” ’

  • When the Lord ‘turns His face’, it means that God will actually take time out, pay attention to and focus on us.  A major thing for the Creator of heaven and earth.
  • When God turns His face towards us we can ask Him, pray and call upon Him and He will do miracles for us.
  • Peace – which is the original Hebrew word of Shalom meaning more than just peace, but to give us complete well-being contentment and fullness of life.  There is nothing to compare with it.

Prayer:  Lord, how I praise You for Your goodness and that Your focus and Your help is always there.  Your blessings upon my and my families lives.  Thank You for the peace which passes all understanding and this great well-being of the Shalom that You give us.  I am so grateful.  I lift my hands in praise to You today.  Amen. 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Just Happy

by   June 13, 2023 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

My sister’s name popped up on my new smart phone. Actually it’s a stupid phone but you won’t hear me complain. Or recite the many ways it aggravates me. No, I am not going to mention how the things that used to be easy on my old dumb phone are nearly impossible on my new smart phone. Like adding my friend Edith to my contacts. Poor gal. Now she has to be Edirh because I can’t figure out how to edit her name. Annyyywayyy… my sister called. “Happy Anniversary!” she joyfully proclaimed. “Thanks,” I answered. “But it’s tomorrow.”


“Oh… well happy 50th anniversary tomorrow! It’s a big one!” she exclaimed.


“Actually it’s number 49, but thank you,” I answered.


“Oh… well at least I was the first to congratulate you! Hope y’all have a wonderful day… tomorrow.” “Thanks sweet sistuh,” I replied. I didn’t have the heart to tell her one of our daughters had just stopped by with eggs from her prolific chickens and had already congratulated us. Not sure how people remember these things. I’m not even checking Facebook anymore. But somehow they know that felicitations are in order. Surely they don’t still use a paper calendar like I do. In fact I consider it a fun event to transfer all the important dates to my new paper calendar every January. Yep. I’m still that person.


What’s even better is that my hubba remembered our anniversary and gave me the best gift. He painted our bedroom. Sappy sentimental man. The gift is very special to me because I know how difficult it is for him to get down on his knees to trim around the baseboard. He assured me it wasn’t hard at all. “It’s the getting back up that’s hard,” he smiled that sexy smile and my heart melted. Yep. He’s still got it.


On our actual anniversary we REALLY got hot and bothered. He took me to Rufty’s Garden Shop to pick out flowers for around the mailbox. During the last year or so, I’ve been unable to go anywhere because of chronic pain. Well, except for the doctor’s office. But David suggested that a quick trip from our house over to Innes Street probably wouldn’t overtax me too much; especially if I didn’t wear myself out getting ready. So I threw a summer scarf around my lovely housedress. David pulled into the crowded lot and I was happy to spot the perfect heat tolerant plants. He scurried inside to make our purchase while I waited in the car. After he received a hug from the wife of his youth, he turned the key in the ignition. Nothing. Thus the hot and bothered.


Sweat ran down the back of my lovely housedress. Mama warned us girls to never go out in public without getting “done up.” She always added, “That’s when you’ll run into your old boyfriend for sure!” Well praise God I married my old boyfriend and the last thing on his mind at that point was my attire.


The kind folks at Rufty’s took time in their very busy Friday to help. As they, along with David worked in the heat to jumpstart the battery, I contemplated removing my scarf. But I didn’t because, you know… housedress. Instead I prayed that the Lord would intervene on our behalf so I wouldn’t have to hitch a ride in all my loveliness. At least I had on my good… flip flops. God heard the prayers of a desperate poorly dressed woman. Eventually we were back on the road for the short trip home to the magical land of Clarkville. It’s a wonderful place, hot at times, but always full of adventure. Laced with sweet surprises like fresh eggs. Plus kind people, and blessings heaped upon blessings. Happy half century to us!


Well… you know… 49.

Language From the Heart

by   June 12, 2023 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

I am a pretty calm person, but the sigh happened. I am happy for those of you who have a perfect life, and it won’t hurt my feelings if you read no further. You may not understand the sigh.

My normal day starts very early and is always followed by lots of hard work. The only sit-downs are in the car, and to eat, which can also be done while standing. My schedule is totally full. Collapsing into bed at night is the best!

But, on this day, while standing in the most popular spot in my home — the kitchen — and trying to keep the family routine running like clockwork, going from food to homework to food to bed — you understand. Well, for some reason total frustration hit me. I stopped and looked around. I was exhausted. Without even thinking, I let out a breath, followed by a deep, audible sigh.

Two grandsons and the husband stopped and looked.

In my head, I think I wanted to scream, “I’m done! I have had it! I’m tired and frustrated!” But, it came out as a deep sigh.

I calmly reset myself.

And my family members calmly reset themselves, too. We continued.

A sigh is defined as a long, deep, audible breath expressing frustration, sadness, tiredness, resignation or sometimes relief.

As soon as my sigh happened, I remembered Mark 8:12, because the first part of the verse has stuck with me, “And He sighed deeply in His spirit.” This was after the Pharisees had begun to question Jesus, demanding a sign from heaven and trying to explain away His miracles.

The comment surely hurt Jesus, and the deep sigh in His spirit came out.

That hurts me. And makes me wonder. Do I make Jesus sigh deeply when I worry, when I don’t pray, when I sin or when I show unbelief?

Jesus is right there, with me. Living in my heart. But, yes… I make Him sigh. Sometimes, deeply.

That moment in the kitchen stopped two grandsons and my husband in their tracks. It spoke volumes in my home that evening, but not nearly as loudly as it spoke to my heart. What seemed at that moment to say, “I’m done,” really was filled with deep emotion and great love. I wasn’t done and I knew it.

It was a language from my heart. It said I was tired, but I had miles to go — and a purpose to fulfill in my home — and I planned to go all the way.

When Jesus sighed deeply, it may have been out of frustration, but it was also out of deep emotion and deep love. He wasn’t done and He knew it. There was no place to stop. He had a purpose to fulfill in the world for all the world. He had further to go and He planned to go all the way — to the cross — for all of us.

What a beautiful reminder is this language of love straight from His heart to ours.

Even if we make Him sigh deeply, He still loves us. Jesus sighing deeply, in his spirit, and continuing to love us in spite of us.

That’s the good stuff — I mean, the God stuff.

Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

The Stuff We Live With

by   June 10, 2023 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

The Stuff We Live With

            We keep our tropical plants in the garage for the winter. I built a special room for them but they have spilled out to the rest of the garage. When I got them all out for the summer I left the mess to clean up later. Last weekend was “later.”

            I pulled the cars out and cleaned out the plant room and then decided to sweep the garage. One corner is where I keep my golf clubs and golf balls. I haven’t used the clubs in years. It is amazing how many spiders, cobwebs, leaves, and dead grass can accumulate in the corner of a garage. Now the corner is all cleaned and straightened up.

            Another corner of the garage is my chemical corner. I keep weed killer, oil, anti-freeze, paint, and pest control products. It’s jumbled up. I decided that needed some attention. Why do I have four bottles of weed killer? There are some empty and full cans of paint. Can’t throw away the empties because we won’t remember what color we used.

            There is more that needs to be cleaned out of the garage, and the storage building could use some evaluation of its contents. I do throw some things away and I take carloads to Goodwill, but there always seems to be more that needs our attention.

            I know that we aren’t alone in our need to clean out and throw away. I have helped a number of friends move and even those who live in apartments have lots of “stuff.” Where did all our “stuff” come from?

            The more I think about this idea of excess stuff the more I realize that it is not limited to physical things in our homes. Many of us are living with lots of spiritual, mental, and emotional baggage that we need to consider unloading. The process of letting go is just as difficult with this kind of clutter as it is with the physical clutter in our lives.

            Take the challenge of forgiveness. When we are wronged by someone it can be very difficult to forgive people. When we harbor unforgiveness we have to carry it with us. It becomes a burden. Releasing the unforgiveness to God and allowing Him to deal with the person will change our lives and free us from things like bitterness.

            Forgiving others is one challenge; forgiving ourselves, another. We all fall short of a perfect life in many ways because we are human. Coming to terms with our own human faults and failures and seeking God’s forgiveness is the first step to allowing our self-forgiveness to emerge. God wants us to enjoy richer, fuller lives through forgiveness.

            There are many other areas in our lives that need cleaning out. While it feels easier to close a door and forget them, I think it’s better to deal with them. One of the ways to better physical, mental, and emotional health is through exercise. While most of us would agree that walking on the beach can do miracles for us, walking in our neighborhoods can be great for body, mind and spirit. We can clear the clutter simply by being physically active.

            We live in a world that can be very overwhelming. All these things can invade our spiritual well-being. God wants us to live with peace, joy, and His love filling our hearts. But when our hearts and minds are filled with the stresses of daily life, worries about tomorrow, and anxiety about everything, God can get pushed out.

All of these things affect and infect our spirits. They flood our hearts and minds, leaving little room for God. He wants to help us clean the clutter and make more room for Him. The help we need can come through exercise, fellowship with our church family, the prayers of family and friends, spending time alone with God and allowing His Spirit to work, digging into God’s word searching for His answers to our problems, and sometimes through the help of spiritual leaders and counselors. Clutter cleaning is work, but with God’s help we can find freedom.

            I want to encourage you to open the doors of your heart and mind and see if there are some things to clean out. The stuff keeps us from the freedom that He bought for us. God wants to help us lighten our load. When He gets stuff cleaned out there will be more room for Him. He promises that His burdens are easy and light. It may be a challenge but it will sure make life better.

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

Trouble and Faith

by   June 9, 2023 with No Comments

  By Roger Barbee

Yesterday our pastor said in his sermon, “When in trouble, have faith.”

While I heard some of his remaining words, I admit to thinking mostly of those five words during the remainder of his sermon; and I keep thinking of those two words, “trouble” and “faith” because, even though they were spoken in the context of a sermon, there are many types of trouble and faith. I know in what term our pastor spoke them, but what of other understandings?

Most of us of a certain age have been warned of “troubles” by our mothers and/or  other adults during our growing years.  Most of those problems we were warned of were results from wrongdoing, such as being dishonest or greedy. We were taught to avoid such errors  because we would be “in a heap of trouble.”

But trouble comes in other forms, too. Think of the trouble that may result in having to make a choice because one is found in a precarious position—such as the first time one climbs a tall tree, then must navigate down it. Or, when one follows older children onto the garage roof to jump off, but teeters on the edge before deciding to jump or climb back down. For a six-year-old, both examples are “a heap of trouble.”

Athletics offer the possibility of trouble all the time. It is real trouble when a team or individual are faced with “being in a hole”—behind in points. The team or individual must choose an action, but the trouble of being down in points requires some act—either quit or battle back. As an athlete and coach, I have experienced trouble like that, sometimes with success, sometimes not.

While being in trouble is usually thought of as serious, it is not always so. Sometimes the trouble we face is really nothing more than an inconvenience, like an unruly child. However, when we think of trouble as adults, we usually think of it as serious, something that demands we contact a lawyer or doctor-the seeking of professional help of some type.  

Trouble comes in a variety, sometimes of our own making or not. But no matter its shape, color, reason, or size, all trouble requires that other word used by pastor-faith. For instance, if a runner finds herself behind in a race,  she can trust that her training has prepared her for what she must do: To increase her pace by raising her tempo and racing harder in order to catch her opponent(s). That trust is a form of faith in her preparation for the race, her work done for that moment. If she does not have faith in her training, she will not catch anyone but just cruise alone, content on running but not racing. But I think when any runner laces on her racing shoes, she should commit to running her best, pushing herself to her physical and mental limits. To do that takes faith.

S Christ follower is like the runner who, upon donning the shoes, is committing to not being content at just being present, but willfully giving every ounce of being for the “race”. Like the runner, a true Christ follower has trained by study and prayer. That’s what Paul did for three years, before he lined up on the starting line. And we are just as required to prepare for the trouble we will face. By that training we will gain the faith necessary for any race we face.

Trust in one’s ability is necessary many times. The child in the tree may not trust his ability to climb down the tree, but after he navigates to the safety of the ground, he knows from then on what he can manage. The same is true of the athlete who trusts in her training and her coach’s wisdom. We trust in ourselves if we have prepared. Some might even say we have faith in ourselves and our abilities. That is fine; however, faith for me is what I have in a higher authority. For me, Oswald Chambers writes it well, “The great thing about faith in God is that it keeps a man undisturbed in the midst of disturbance.”

Trust may get you out of the tree or help you improve in the race, but only faith will calm the storms of secular living.

Mountains Here We Come

by   June 8, 2023 with No Comments

By David Freeze

I drove west on May 17 with a mission to visit the last 11 counties in that farthest part of the state. Many of the towns I was already familiar with, having attended Western Carolina University for two years. My first stop was Burnsville, a town that I hadn’t seen before. Burnsville was founded in 1834 and named after War of 1812 naval hero Otway Burns. Serving as the county seat of Yancey County, Burnsville is the only incorporated town in the county.

The town square is a park, not centered on the courthouse, and has a statue of Burns. The Yancey County courthouse, built in 1908, is just across the street, not far from the very interesting Nu-Wray Hotel. Originally built of logs in 1833, the hotel is undergoing complete renovation. Elvis Presley, Thomas Wolfe and William Sidney Porter (O.Henry) all spent the night here. Concept photos of what the main areas and rooms with baths will look like were posted outside. The John Wesley McElroy house was built in the 1840s and later served as a hospital, post office and as headquarters for the Civil War home guard. General McElroy was the head of the western home guard brigade.

The NC Bigfoot Conference will be held here on June 17 and will include a day of notable speakers. The Yancey County Museum, beside the McElroy house, is free. Burnsville was interesting, fairly busy and the downtown was without a nationally known store, a pattern that would continue for the next two days.

Next up was Marshall, county seat of Madison County. The French Broad River runs through the town as does the railway and Main Street. The historic downtown is centered on the Madison County Courthouse, built in 1907. A long main street runs as flat as the river beside it, very pleasant on my legs. An interesting smattering of historic buildings and downtown stores included an old hardware and the depot, used weekly as a gathering place for mountain music on Friday nights.

Interesting about the downtown were repeated mentions of mermaids and the upcoming Mermaid and Parade Festival on June 3, an all-day event. Lots of apartments on the backside of the historic buildings faced the river. A central theme concerning the Civil War for many of the mountain communities was a disagreement over which side to support. While most who went to war supported the confederacy, some supported the union and a significant number were neutral, saying that the slave issue was not relevant in mountain counties. The mountains also became a haven for deserters from both sides.

The one big city I had on my schedule that day was Asheville, county seat of Buncombe County. I followed Siri’s directions to an end right in front of the courthouse. An empty parking spot was impossible to find until I spotted one with a red sign in front of it, and no instructions. I decided to take a chance, but still kept an eye on my truck occasionally since “towing” signs were posted everywhere.

Originally established as Morristown, the county seat was established in 1793 and then renamed Asheville after Gov. Samuel Ashe in 1797. On prior visits for running races, I had occasionally heard mountain music at the Shindig on the Green. Often impromptu, groups of musicians would form and play in various parts of the greenspace in front of the courthouse. A permanent covered stage now is in place where musicians and dancers are known to gather “along about sundown” on summer Saturday evenings.

Notable buildings include the city hall finished in 1928, the county courthouse and the Thomas Wolfe house. Wolfe’s book, Look Homeward Angel, is considered a classic and his boyhood home is a national historic landmark. In the same area is Central Square, contributing to what is called the Pack Square Park, right in the middle of the business district. Most interesting to me was a historical plaque commemorating the Aug. 14, 1943 day that Army Colonel Robert Morgan, Asheville native, flew the WWII Memphis Belle B-17 across central square. He then tilted the plane at 60 degrees to fly between the massive city hall and county courthouse. The Memphis Belle was the first plane to make the required 25 missions over German occupied Europe. The plane and crew were immortalized in a movie of the same name.

I continued west about 30 miles to Waynesville, county seat of Haywood County. Waynesville was founded in 1810 and named after Revolutionary War General “Mad” Anthony Wayne. Notable Civil War history was that the last battle in North Carolina ended here in a Confederate victory after a combined band of 600 Cherokee and southern soldiers danced around their campfires all night making a lot of noise. The Union commander prepared a surrender proposal which was delivered the next morning. Shortly after, both commanders were notified that the war had ended with the surrenders of Lee and Johnston in the previous days.

Driving into town, I couldn’t find an empty parking place until almost through town. Another busy and interesting downtown was also mostly flat and dominated by craft and antique shops, plus numerous food options. Historic buildings in the downtown area included the 1932 Haywood County courthouse, the 1927 Masonic Hall and the Dr. J Howell Way house, started before the Civil War and completed in 1899.

Forty-three counties done. I totaled 6.08 miles on my feet on a beautiful day and was excited to continue west. You’ll hear about more of those towns next week. See you then!

Waiting

by   June 7, 2023 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Psalms 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

  • God is never in a hurry, but certainly is sudden.
  • Waiting is a growth and development of patients and faith.
  • We ‘take heart’ because we know the Lord will hear and answer.  We just need to wait.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit help me to be patient to wait for Him even though He does not move fast, He moves suddenly and He will come to my aid.  Help me to be patient and not be reactionary or stressful today.  Amen.
 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Mouse in the House

by   June 6, 2023 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

How do you respond to fear? Do you pull the covers over your head and hide? The other day a field mouse was staggering around on our porch. When he saw me, he stuck his little head in a hole between the step and the ground. He tried to wiggle down out of sight, but his hinder parts were sticking out. I’m sure this seemed like a perfectly logical solution to his fear, probably because he had his beer goggles on. You see, we also have snails which are eating the plants on our porch. A friend told me that if you put beer out, the snails slither in and die. But it’s a happy, painless death. Anyway, we had a little mouse get in our house. Traps weren’t working, so we resorted to poison. Apparently the mouse on the porch had just come from the house and had tried to quench his thirst with the beer put out for the snails. No matter how hard he denied impending doom, his fate was sealed. I am glad to report, but also sufficiently sad, that the mouse in the house is no more.


Nehemiah was terrified. He was the taste tester for the king. He made sure no poison was in the soup of the day. So when he came before the king, looking sick and sad, alarms went off in the royal head. Nehemiah’s boss could literally cause the ax to fall. Severance package took on a whole new meaning. But because Nehemiah had prayed ahead of time for favor in the king’s eyes, God gave him a wise response during a terrifying experience. Chapter 2, verse 4 tells of his quick prayer to the God of heaven, and the king’s very favorable reply, “Well, how can I help you?” Verses following tell of Nehemiah’s list and how the king granted all his requests, “…because the gracious hand of God was upon him.” –vs. 8


Nehemiah did not go to the king all willy-nilly. He prayed. He waited til the time was right. Neh. 2:1 says, “…the following spring.” He asked God for favor, like we talked about yesterday. When the opportunity presented itself, he was ready. He sent up a quick prayer before answering. And he recognized it all happened because God was in charge.


Today- for our churches: Ask God to go ahead of us to the powers that be, so that when it is time to make decisions, or expand our ministry, or take a city for Christ, those who see us coming will make the path smooth. Pray for those God puts in our path, that they will say, “Well, how can I help you?” And that God will receive glory as we bring whole communities to Him!

More: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Psalm 4:3 Psalm 17:6,7

Defending Our Faith

by   June 5, 2023 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

During my senior year in college, I attended a seminar with other prospective teachers, where the leaders shared information and responded to questions about government and local issues. The discussion veered to Christianity, and for the first time in my life, I knew what it felt like for my faith to be personally attacked. I remember feeling very small in that moment, as the hurtful, intimidating comments continued.

My mind was telling me to say something to defend my faith. Anything. I felt my heart flutter and I knew I had to speak up, right then. I also knew that if I did, my voice would quiver, tears would flow and I would probably be unable to respond effectively to any counterattack. (Yes, I am the girl who always had, “Ann is shy,” comments from teachers on my report cards.)

The words did not form and my mouth would not move. The seminar ended.

I stepped into the crowded elevator where the tears began to fall, as I stared at the doors blankly. I had let God and myself down.

Looking back, it felt that I was having a “rooster crowing” moment like Peter encountered, when he realized he had denied Christ three times. He responded by weeping bitterly.

My faith seemed to have dwindled to zero that day, not because of what I said, but because of what I failed to say.

Decades later, I think back and wish I had said something — anything — even in spite of the quivering voice and tears that would have coincided with my words.

I doubt my words would have mattered to those in the room at all. But, I believe it would have mattered to me to have spoken them.

I am sure I am not the only one who has had times they were afraid of the giants. Yes, we had plenty of weapons. We could have pulled out our sling and stone, but we didn’t. We just sat there, afraid. Trying to shrink away into invisibility. By the lack of taking action, we failed to stand up for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Yes, denying Christ still happens.

It may be what we say. It may be what we don’t say.

It may be what we do. It may be what we don’t do.

Encouragement can be found in how Jesus responded to Peter, who failed Him often, but loved Him much. Jesus restored Peter and used him greatly.

We are not perfect. We fail daily.

But God can use those events in our lives that seem to be evil and work them for our good — to help us know, grow and go. For me, something about the hurt from that day never went away.

That day did not define who I was.

I still belonged to Jesus. But, that day began to refine who I was. I began to desire to let my faith be known by the way I lived and by the words I said.

We may be followers who fail, but that is better than failing to follow.

We cannot let our failures define us. Instead, let our failures refine us.

Nowadays, I try to show up, step up and even speak up. (My teachers would be proud of me. Ann isn’t shy anymore.)

Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

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