Beautiful Joe’s

by   April 18, 2023 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

What could he do? It came down to a couple different options. He could break their engagement and tell everybody she’d been unfaithful. Or he could handle things quietly in order to protect her. Being a nice guy he chose option ‘B.’ He would cancel the wedding plans and somehow move on without her.

Suddenly an option was presented to him that he’d never considered.

He could marry her and raise the baby as his own. It would include taking a hit to his reputation and trusting a woman with a very questionable story but…

Matthew 1:19 tells us that Joseph was a good man. Even a good man would struggle with option ‘C.’

Isn’t it remarkable that the King of the universe chose to come to earth as a man so that God’s beautiful plan to buy us back to Himself could be realized? To me it’s interesting that He started and ended with a couple of regular Joes.

The first was just a hardworking, tax paying guy looking forward to having sons of his own and building the family carpenter business. He found himself being the adopted dad of a little boy Who would be revealed as the Son of God. But Joseph willingly gave up reputation and whatever it took to protect this child. When it meant believing a far-fetched story about his fiancée, he was willing. When it meant taking off to a foreign country with his brand new family in tow, he was God’s man.

Good, faithful, hard-working, steady Joe; not much by social standards, but chosen by God.

Fast forward to the end of Jesus’ life.

Another Joe steps up. This time it’s a rich man with great social status. But he refused to accept the verdict of his fellow religious leaders who had wrongly convicted Jesus. With wisdom he stepped out from the Jewish high counsel and made a decision. He would personally take the body of Christ and bury it in his own tomb… the one he just paid good money to have carved out for himself. This rich man with great social standing did not ask servants to do the difficult task. He made his request to Pilate, then took the body of Jesus and carefully wrapped it in fine linen, placing it in his own tomb. What courage! He could’ve lost everything by associating himself with Jesus.

Instead, he is forever chronicled in Scripture as Joseph from Arimathea, a good and righteous man.

Two Joes: One poor, without clout; the other rich, with high social standing. Each faithful, steady and strong in character, just doing life as the Lord guided.

In my life, the people who have influenced and encouraged me most have not been dynamic, flashy, or extremely talented. They have been beautiful though, because faithfulness is a beautiful thing.

Don’t you love how God uses us regular Joes for His most important tasks?

PS: You can read more about Joseph the step-dad in Luke 2:1-24 & Matthew 1:18-2:23; and Joseph of Arimathea in Luke 23:50-56 & Matthew 27:57-61.

Sometimes Beautiful Joes are named Dennis, David, Randy and Tom

The Tomb was Empty!

by   April 17, 2023 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

  • Anguish — What must it have been like for Jesus to anguish in prayer in the garden of Gethsemane? Going a little farther? Falling on His face? His sweat like drops of blood falling to the ground? Praying and asking His Father to remove the cup from Him?
  • What happened when Jesus prayed? An angel appeared from heaven and gave Him strength. When we pray, we too, can be given strength by angels from heaven.
  • Acceptance — On three separate occasions during the time of the trial of Jesus, Peter denied that he even knew Jesus. Peter had denied knowing Jesus, but Jesus did not deny knowing Peter.
  • Accusation — Jesus was falsely accused. Pilate could find no fault in Him and chose to wash his hands of the situation as the crowd cried, “Crucify Him!” The crowd also cried for Barabbas, a prisoner, to be set free. Pilate did not set Barabbas free. The crowd did not set Barabbas free. Jesus set Barabbas free!
  • Agony — Jesus was scourged, which involved using a whip with balls of lead tied to leather thongs to tear into His body. A crown of thorns was driven into His scalp. Five- to 7-inch spikes were driven into His hands and feet. On the cross, His body pulled down on His outstretched arms and shoulders, intensifying the pain. While in agony, Jesus willingly carried the weight of the cross — and the weight of the world — on His shoulders, as He bore all our past, present and future sins.
  • Assurance — As He was placed on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” As the thief on the cross beside Jesus was dying, he said, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” to which Jesus responded, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” Blessed assurance! Jesus is ours! We are forgiven! He will remember us! As we leave this world, we will be with Jesus forever.
  • Arisen — Mary Magdalene and Mary went to the tomb and found it empty. The stone had been rolled away! Jesus was not there, He was risen! These are just a few words from God’s Word and from my heart to remind us of the greatest event in the history of the world. Jesus went to the cross, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again so that we can live forever.
  • The tomb was empty!
  • Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

A Daughter’s Gift

by   April 16, 2023 with No Comments

Parents are supposed to take care of their children. Sometimes the tables turn and children get the opportunity to take care of their parents. This story reminds me of what Jesus did for us… He gave everything… How do you say thank you?

Easter’s Renewal

by   April 15, 2023 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            Did it rain at your house last weekend? I was beginning to think we needed to build an ark. We had over five inches of rain. I thought we were going to have a rainy Easter Sunday, too. Thankfully, the clouds pushed away, granting us a beautiful day to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.

            After church on Sunday, I headed to my brother’s house, where my family gathered to share a delicious meal. I am not sure how many people gathered but the crowd included people from a one-year-old through several in their nineties. There were four generations gathered together and we all had a great time.

            After we ate, one of my nephews initiated a huge Easter egg hunt. It took a whole bunch of us to “hide” all the eggs. The eggs were so plentiful that there wasn’t much hiding going on. Eggs were scattered everywhere.

            Each person was given a container to collect eggs. When the littlest children could wait no longer, the signal came and we all started to collect the eggs. The plastic eggs contained candy and play money. All the play money could be taken to the “store” and exchanged for prizes. The laughter and excitement filled the air as young and old hustled to collect eggs.

            I have to tell you there is something special about watching people in their nineties collecting Easter eggs. The parents were clicking pictures of their little children as they discovered the fun of collecting eggs. I thought later that I should have taken pictures of the ninety-plus-year-olds collecting eggs. That will be a memory that I will treasure forever.

            As things were winding down, I walked with my Dad as he collected the last couple of eggs that were out of reach of the little children. That is another special memory I will treasure. Then we all sat down and looked through our eggs to discover how much money and candy we found. When I turned in my money for prizes I bumped into my mother, who was having a grand time picking out some special treasures of her own. The joy and excitement dancing in her eyes is another treasured memory.

            The little children, my great nieces and nephews, came around showing off their special treasures. The laughter and excitement could not be contained. Everyone went home with bellies full of great food, a bag of candy, a collection of prizes, and hearts and minds refreshed from a great time of fellowship.

            I can easily imagine Jesus coming and joining our family gathering on Easter Sunday. In fact, I think it would fill his heart with joy to know that families around the world came together to share fellowship, love, laughter, and great food.

            I think it is no mistake that Easter is in spring, a time of renewal. Nature reminds us of God’s renewal promises each spring. God sent His Son to heal and restore the relationship He intended from the start of mankind. We break our relationship with God through our wrong choices, but Jesus came to offer us a renewed chance at a relationship with God.

            When we take communion, we are remembering His death until He comes again. His blood paid the full price for all our sins and wrong choices. When we receive it we are forgiven for all our sins and wrong choices. His body was broken to bring us healing. His broken body heals our body, mind, and spirit. Jesus took the whipping, the crown on His head, and the nails in His hands and feet to pay for our healing. After dying for us, He rose again on Easter morning. He is the only God who rose from the dead. It’s our ticket to an eternity with Him in heaven. Our relationship with Jesus offers us healing, forgiveness, and an eternity with Him in heaven.

            I want to encourage you to receive Jesus, who rose from the dead on Easter. It is a gift you cannot buy or earn. It is one you have to receive. God knew you couldn’t fix all you have done wrong so He sent His Son to fix it. He paid for everything and offers you an Easter basket filled with hope, joy, forgiveness, mercy, grace, and a renewed life here on earth, and one day with Him in heaven. These gifts are available for you if you will receive them. They are free and available to you no matter how old or young, and especially no matter what you have done in your life. Come and receive your renewal.

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

One Small Bird

by   April 14, 2023 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

Going out our front door, my wife encountered the rat snake on our stoop, at the hinge side of our entrance. She, being an admirer of snakes, quietly closed the door and came to share his presence with me. Every muscle under its black skin was tense from her presence, and there seemed to be a bulge in his middle that suggested a recent meal. We watch it move across our threshold and climb a corner of our house.

Next to the front door in a corner is a plant stand holding a bright red geranium. It is such a well-tended and full plant that a pair of Carolina wrens have taken residency of it. But the presence of the rat snake brought them out immediately and a Savannah sparrow helped as it held a position near the plant like a Kestrel hunting over a field. One of the wrens held a morsel in its beak and darted near the nest then out of reach. The other flew in circles above the scene, and the snake held its ground in the corner of our house. My wife and I, believers in the rules of nature, left the scene, knowing that “Nature’s beautiful way” would prevail. But as I  went inside our house, I was hopeful for the wrens and that the rat snake was just passing through.

As much as my wife and I  enjoy our garden, many pine trees, and the birds and other animals that share them with us, we accept death as part of this life. We realize that we will sometimes find a fledgling that has fallen from its nest high in one of our pine trees—especially after a storm. Some plants that we hope to see bloom do not do well and die or just limp along like the clematis planted two years ago. The bright and cheerful winter pansies will wilt under the June sun. But no matter of all the lessons I have learned in the garden, I wanted the wrens’ nest to remain intact.

For the remainder of the day after the snake appeared, I would wander out to the front door area. I stayed far away but best positioned myself to see if the snake was in the plant. I did not see or hear the birds, nor did I see the snake in the plant or anywhere in our yard. Because of the lack of animals, I assumed that the nest had been violated, the snake and wrens leaving it to compost and feed the geranium; another death/life cycle in a garden. Our front entrance held the silence of a grave.

Gardens can be plotted on paper or in the brain, with the location of various plants thought out for a variety of reasons. Plants can be planted, nourished, and even pampered. Most will thrive, some will not. However, the outcome of the planned garden’s flowering will offer a home to a variety of animals. Most, like the birds, will be seen and heard. Some, like the snakes, will not be seen often. But all will be present and contributors to their local ecology.

This morning when I went to the front yard to ride my stationary handcycle, I was thinking of other things as I turned the corner from our back garden. But regardless of my other thoughts, the notes of the Carolina wren sitting on the back of a garden chair near our front door cheered my spirits. The pair were here. The loud notes announced their territorial presence.

I did not venture toward our front door area, but paused and listened to the morning concert of one small bird telling the world that this morning it was here like its ancestors and for the moment, what else mattered?

Heading West…

by   April 13, 2023 with No Comments

By David Freeze

I planned on traveling along N.C. 150 toward Lincolnton and points west on cloudy and rainy Sunday, March 26. I arrived in Lincolnton, county seat of Lincoln County, about 9 a.m. and the same time that a heavy downpour hit the area. I had a new FroggToggs rain jacket and put it to work. Chartered in 1813, Lincolnton was founded on the 1780 Revolutionary War Ramsour’s Mill battle site, a small battle won by the independence forces.

Expecting not much activity, I was pleasantly surprised to find good things happening. The courthouse dominates the historic downtown, with lots of other historic buildings and churches within a few blocks. Several of the churches had services going on, one from a storefront. A farm market store was serving breakfast food as was the Sweet Side Bakery and Café, where I got two of the biggest donuts I’ve seen. One was a blackberry crumble, which really hit the spot. Hailee Jarry, owner, was very welcoming, as I visited my 13th county seat.

Other interesting finds included the Cloninger Rail Trail, 1.7 miles for running, walking and cycling on an asphalt surface. It’s part of the Carolina Thread Trail and passes right under main street, just as the train used to do. Beautiful murals are everywhere, and large pottery is displayed through shopping area. Lincolnton was the site of the first textile mill in the south, and notable buildings include the Lincoln Cultural Center and Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Back on 150, the next stop was Shelby, seat of Cleveland County. The city was chartered in 1843 and was named for Revolutionary War Hero Isaac Shelby. Considered a textile boom town, Shelby mills paid among the highest wages in the south.

Among the famous locals were singer Don Gibson, bluegrass banjo picker Earl Scruggs and NFL star Bobby Bell. Gibson has an active musical theatre and Scruggs has an ongoing exhibit located in another magnificent and restored courthouse, the centerpiece of Shelby that was built in 1907. Court activities are now held in the Law Enforcement Building, while the restored courthouse also houses a museum.

The next most dominating building is the Charles Hotel, first built in the 1890s. It caught fire in 1928, just ahead of the depression but was able to reopen in 1929. Not currently a hotel, a study is currently underway to possibly restore it again.

Washington Street is a sort of mini-Fulton Street with magnificent older homes, the most famous being Webbley, built in 1852 and once home to NC Governor O. Max Gardner. The city is also home to the American Legion World Series each summer.

Next stop was Columbus, a first time visit for me, and the county seat for Polk County. There’s a historic Columbus and the modern one next to Interstate 26. The courthouse was built in 1855, still in use, and amazingly had open bathrooms on a midday Sunday. In this area, the Civil War divided neighbors as there was some residents remaining loyal to the Union. Four Confederate Companies were formed at the courthouse. Hardships of the war fostered resentment, causing draft evaders and deserters to find refuge in the mountains from where they formed gangs, raided farms and communities. Hard feelings lingered for years.

The town was named after Dr. Columbus J. Mills, considered the “Father of Polk County.” The other major building in town is the former Stearns School building, built in 1917 and used through 1988 with first through 12th grades. The grounds are decorated with library art and a walking trail that follows the pages of the book “Snowmen at Night,” a 2004 children’s book. The historic part of town also has the House of Flags Museum, the only one in the United States, plus a thriving Mexican restaurant and an unlocked foyer of the visitor’s center.

Next came Hendersonville, the county seat of Henderson County. Just a quick drive north on Interstate 26 from Columbus put me on Main Street. Chartered in 1847, the town’s Main Street is well preserved with lots of old buildings that now house restaurants, trendy shopping, boutiques and antique stores.

The Henderson County Courthouse, built in 1905 and completely renovated in 2008, dominates the downtown area and is still in use for some services since the new courthouse was completed in 1995.

Several things I found interesting included many ceramic bear statues along Main Street. I read that the bears mysteriously disappear near the New Year and are replaced by new ones. One building now called the Charleston Inn was built in 1906 with two stories, but a third story was added about 10 years later. Throughout its history, the building had about a half dozen names. The Mast General Store has a Main Street location.

My final destination for the day was Rutherfordton, county seat of Rutherford County. Founded in 1787, it is one of the oldest towns in western North Carolina. Rutherfordton is the site of the first gold mint in the U.S., called the Bechtler mint. Christopher Bechtler made his first gold dollar in 1832, 17 years before the U.S. mint. The Bechtler Mint closed in 1849. Gold dollar replicas are pressed into the downtown sidewalk at various intervals.

Named for Revolutionary War General Griffith Rutherford, Rutherfordton’s Main Street is loaded with historic sites, including another wonderful courthouse, this one built in 1925/26. It has a 75-foot tall Christmas tree, already decorated with lights and a star on top. Same as my windmill. The 1847 St. John’s Episcopal Church looks ready for a small congregation. Two historic houses side by side are called the Carrier Houses and are bed and breakfast locations, one built in 1835 and the other in 1879.

The 13.5-mile Thermal Belt Rail Trail connects Ruth, Rutherfordton, Spindale and Forest City, and is used for walking, running and cycling.

All these towns were active on a Sunday that started rainy and ended sunny. I had 7.95 miles on my feet and 242 on my truck. Seventeen counties down, 83 to go. See you soon with more!

Unavoidable Challenges

by   April 12, 2023 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

  • So often we want to avoid or go around the waters or fire.
  • Challenges are inevitable and are not to be feared or to be concerned about.
  • Hallelujah!  We are assured that we will go through these successfully and with great rejoicing. 

Prayer:  Lord I thank You for the fires and the floods I have come through already.  Clearly You have helped me.  I will not shirk with fear or cower because I know that You will go with me through these things when I pass through these difficulties in life.  You have already got me covered. I bless You and thank You Lord.  Amen. 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Are We Moved?

by   April 11, 2023 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

Poor Samson. His tribe continued to wander in their inherited land, which was yet unconquered.

As he was growing up, he was with a warlike tribe that was yearning for a permanent home.

But, when he visited the tribal army camp, his heart was stirred and God began preparing him to be a judge and leader against the Philistines.

Judges 13:25 says it this way — “the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times.”

Did you feel that when you read or heard those words? The Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times…

So what do we do when that happens?

When the Spirit of the Lord begins to move us at times?

I am getting Holy Spirit chill bumps just thinking about it. Being moved?

It reminds me of times in a movie theater or in a football stadium when someone wanted me to move.

You know what I am talking about. It is the middle of the movie. My drink and popcorn and pocketbook are in the perfect spots, when someone just has to come down my row, pushing themselves past me.

Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me.

Yeah, right. You are stepping on my feet and I am missing the movie. It is the same at a football game. For real.

Why can’t they wait until halftime to go get their refreshments?

Excuse me. Excuse me. I’m sorry. (No, they aren’t really sorry.) Even worse is when they don’t want to pass by you, but they want you to move down a seat.

But Judges 13:25 is a great improvement over that, because there the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times. Not to ask Samson to move, but the Spirit of the Lord moved him.

Are we moved by the Spirit of the Lord ? Yes.

I have been moved by the Spirit of the Lord when I read my Bible, when I pray and while in a church service.

But that move is not just confined to places or situations we think of as being religious.

The move of the Spirit of the Lord can come at anytime, anywhere and in any form because the Spirit of the Lord is always with us.

If we need comfort or hope, the Spirit is with us. If we need anything or nothing, the Spirit is with us.

Judges 3:10 expresses it as a temporary spontaneous increase of spiritual, mental and physical strength. We may see it in extraordinary ways for special assignments the Lord gives us.

This will come through seeking the help of the Holy Spirit as we face not only major challenges, but also in our daily lives. Isn’t that beautiful? Moved by the Spirit of the Lord? It is a move we never want to be without.

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

All Mine

by   April 10, 2023 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

“Hey man! Don’t be takin’ my donkey!”


That’s what I would’ve said if a couple of strangers came up to my house and started untying the family beast of burden. I mean, how will we get the firewood home, or take grandma to prayer meeting? You can’t just go around taking people’s stuff all willy nilly.


“The Lord needs it.”


Jesus told his friends to say that when He sent them to fetch the donkey. Apparently that’s all it took. The owner had no problem sending his valuable property with strangers. He wasn’t promised a great return on his investment. He wasn’t promised the donkey would be brought back fed and watered… or even returned at all. All he knew was that the Lord needed something he had. If I had a donkey, I can hear myself reasoning…“Sorry guys. It’s the only donkey I’ve got. You’re gonna have to find yourself another mode of transportation. I just made the last payment. Had to finance it for seven years, but finally it’s all mine.”


“What? The Lord needs it? The Lord has everything. Why does He need MY donkey?” I’m afraid me and my donkey would’ve missed the Jesus parade… the only one He ever had. In fact, I think I would’ve missed a lot of things.


I don’t believe I would’ve climbed a tree to get a better look. People would surely laugh at a grown woman perched in a tree. I wouldn’t have called Him up for a night time meeting so He could answer my questions either. What would the neighbors think? I doubt I would have given my lunch to Him when everyone realized it was time to eat and there was no food. What good would my little pitiful sack lunch do? And I KNOW I would not have stepped out of a perfectly good boat to go traipsing across the choppy sea. Who would take such a risk?


Not me.


In fact, everything is just fine the way it is. So Lord, I’m here for You… right here in my cozy house, with plenty to eat, and my nice warm bed, surrounded by things and people I love, with my precious donkey safely tied outside.


Hmmm… Sounds like a parade off in the distance. I wonder what I’m missing.

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