Doug Creamer

             I think it might be safe to finally wish you a happy spr…ACHOOO…spring! I have seen forsythia, magnolia, redbuds, pear and cherry trees all in full bloom. I noticed this weekend that some dogwood buds look like they are going burst open. The grass is greening up and ACHOOO…the allergies are acting up. It seems like everybody has a runny nose and watery eyes. Welcome to spring in the Carolinas.

            I am not sure what it is, but most of us are fighting allergies. I thought with all the rain that maybe we would get by without such a terrible allergy season. I thought wrong. It seems like more and more people are suffering from allergies. Get a box of tissues and hang in there.

            I love spring. I love watching everything come back to life after a long winter nap. I want to see all the beauty of the many varieties of trees. I love the warmer air that allows me to eat my lunch on the front porch. I enjoy lingering outside in the warmer evening air and seeing all the beautiful stars in the sky. So welcome spring…sniff, sniff, ACHOOO…we are glad you are here.

            It’s still too wet to get the tiller out and work the garden up. I did start the lawn mower and cut the grass. The grass and weeds are now all the same height and they have that nice spring green. I am ready to get out and plant my peas and potatoes. I am hoping for a better gardening season this year over last year. That’s what gardening is all about…hoping and dreaming for a new, good growing season.

            It’s interesting to me, but I have a sense in my spirit that we are entering a spring growing season in the Spirit. In talking with people about where they are in the Lord, and praying with others, I keep having this sense that there is a warm southerly breeze blowing and the spring rains have arrived. God is blessing us with a season of renewal. I believe we are going to see a time of church growth, both numerically and spiritually.

            When spring arrives we plant seeds. When a spiritual spring arrives, it is also time to plant seeds. Jesus taught us in the parable of the sower that we sow the Word of God. I believe that we are entering a season when people’s hearts will be open to hearing and receiving the Good News of the gospel. I believe the story of Easter and God’s incredible love will have a greater appeal.

            I believe that God is opening people’s hearts to His incredible love. Jesus loved us so much that He died for us, and He continues to bear the scars so we will never forget how much He loves us. I want to encourage you to share the Good News. God is opening hearts to receive His love.

            I sense that this spring season is not just for the rebirth of the lost. I believe that God is doing something in our hearts, too. It is a season of hope and promise for the church. God has promised us so many things in the Bible; it’s time for us to dig those promises out and to stir up our faith to believe for those things.

            Some of those promises have been hidden in our hearts for years. It’s time to stir up our faith to believe. I also believe that God is going to give us new promises. He sees a bright future bursting with hope. God is planting new dreams, visions, seasons of renewal filled with grace, mercy, and His love. It’s time to pray and believe.

            I believe that spring has arrived for our souls. Let’s open the windows of our hearts and allow the Spirit to refresh us. Allow Him to stir up His plans for our future. I believe that God has good plans for our future, filled with faith, hope, and love. It’s spring and it is time to stir up our faith for all the good things God wants to do in our lives.

            I  encourage you to open your eyes and see the spring that is bursting on the scene around you. God wants that same kind of spring in your spiritual life. He wants you to believe that you will see His promises fulfilled in your life. God loves you beyond your wildest dreams and has made plans beyond your imagination. Let the spiritual spring bloom. God bless you!

Contact Doug at  doug@dougcreamer.com