He Answered

by   November 10, 2021 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Psalms 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

  • There is a seeking that we must reach for; a real earnestness of wanting to hear from Him.
  • God does answer! 
  • And He will deliver regardless of what our situation is or who we are, He does answer and delivers.

Prayer:  I praiseYou this day Lord, because You are a God that not only hears but answers.  I seek You with all my heart continually because You are my God and there is no one like You.  I bless Your holy name.  Amen. 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Going on Another Adventure

by   November 9, 2021 with No Comments

By David Freeze

As most of you know, I’m a big fan of going on challenging adventures. Having just returned from the most recent cycling journey on Sept. 4, I’ve had a very busy last two months. In some ways, the weeks at home are harder than the actual journey itself. There are lots of projects to resume and some new ones to get going. Huge on the list is another book to write!

The next book, “Crossing America, One Convenience Store at a Time,” is complete and scheduled for printing and shipment. Farm and other projects are in good shape, so I had time this past week to go on yet another adventure.

I’m an avid reader, so much so that I couldn’t wait to get started on another book. No real reading for anything but bike ride information since mid-July had especially whet my appetite to wrap my thoughts up into another book.

I’m also a big Appalachian Trail fan, especially over the last year. I started reading about it two springs ago. Nothing concrete has been scheduled and it may never be, but still I read and research what the experience would be like. The folks at the Rowan Public Library have helped me find good reading material for years and when a new book arrives that they think might interest me, someone will often let me know. Such was the case when last week “2,000 Miles Together” arrived. I had just spent a few days at the beach doing the final proofing of “Crossing America” and also completed David Baldacci’s “A Gambling Man.”

When the South Branch of RPL called and said they had another book for me, I rushed through my work for the day and dropped in to get it just ahead of closing. I looked it over in the parking lot and came home with plans to start reading that night. “2,000 Miles Together” is about a family of eight, ages 2 to 18, that chose to hike the trail together. If they made it, they would be the largest family to complete the trail together and their 7-year-old would be the youngest ever to complete the trail. That’s nearly 2,200 miles over 5-6 months, battling weather and terrain. Mom and dad had cycled across country and the whole family runs marathons together. They fuel on Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies and finished the trail in Altra running shoes. All relatable to me.

All family members finished, but not without some severe trials and doubts along the way. For two and a half days, I couldn’t put the book down, effectively controlling my life. Why? I envisioned myself walking and sometimes running with them. Immersed in the book, I had yet another adventure!

Why does reading matter so much? I constantly hear people say that they don’t read. Yet they follow Facebook, Twitter and Price is Right. Here are some reasons why real reading matters:

  • Mental stimulation and memory improvement, which we all need to stay sharp.
  • Stress reduction — nothing calms me like reading a good book.
  • Increased knowledge. Learn about virtually anything.
  • Vocabulary expansion, improved focus and concentration. You won’t just be sharper, others will realize it, too.
  • Improved writing skills — something sorely needed, especially in our young people.
  • Escape. Just as I did with “2,000 Miles Together,” go away on your own adventure! When I finish a good book, I often pump my fist just like after a good athletic achievement. I sit and savor the experience and am willing to admit that I often experience various emotions while reading a good book.

And finally, passing on the skill of reading to a young person is a wonderful gift. Studies show that children who read can be better stimulated mentally, become more fluent in language and can better communicate with people of all ages. Their academic success can be tied directly to their ability to read and comprehend.

Today’s Spooky Sprint 5K and fun run start at Catawba College at 2 p.m. It’s Salisbury’s first race in 18 months. Next Saturday’s Clean Water 5K is at Grace Lutheran Church. Look for both and plenty more at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org .    

Do Not Take the Pencil

by   November 8, 2021 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

Early in my teaching career, which was decades ago, my class was working on 3 digit x 3 digit multiplication. Yes, back in the day, we only taught the standard algorithm. The school had calculators to check out for use, but they were only for special occasions.

On this day, there was one student who continued to struggle, even though she was putting forth great effort. As I was walking around the classroom helping students, I noticed she was getting confused, because she was having trouble lining the numbers up on the paper. I suggested that she turn her notebook paper sideways, so she could better align the problem by using the blue lines to keep it straight.

She seemed pleased. I felt like a good teacher. I walked away.

She tried it. It was not much help.

She remained confused. She looked at me and smiled as she said,“This is the hardest math we have done.” I tended to agree, and was determined to help take away some of her frustration by staying with her as she continued. Noticing an error, I showed it to her, reached for her pencil, and wrote the correct number.

I felt pretty successful at that point, so I watched as she began the next problem. Seeing continued hesitation, I reached for her pencil again. She kindly patted my hand and pushed it away, as she said, “I think I can do it better if I write the numbers by myself.”

Uh…. I had just been schooled. It reminded me of how it is when we are feeding our babies, and then one day they grab the spoon and feed themselves. Yes, it was messy. No, it was not perfect. But – it needed to happen.

After that, I began to let my students ‘hold the pencil’ as they worked. Some even began to work the problems using a different process. It may not have been the way I had learned to teach it, and at times, it was messy and not perfect, but we were all happier.

It really is the same with any learning.

It may be messy.

It may not be perfect.

But it needs to happen.

The student has probably not had reason to complete a similar multiplication problem on notebook paper in many years, and she probably never will, but I sure did learn something that day:

*Leading someone to learning is rewarding.

*Doing it for them is doing it for them.

*They will make mistakes, but that’s why pencils have erasers.

Aristotle said, “For the things we have to learn before we do them, we learn by doing them.”

ANN-istotle said, “When teaching someone, do not take the pencil.”

By the way, is multiplication in the Bible?

Yes, the Bible says go fourth and multiply.

This column is dedicated to all math lovers.

Retired Again!

by   November 6, 2021 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I retired from teaching in public schools in 2019, prior to the arrival of the COVID pandemic. I look back and think how wise that timing ended up being in my life. Many of my former colleagues have told me how challenging teaching has become during the pandemic. I admire them for the way they have adapted to the new reality of these difficult times.

            I knew I needed to work once I retired. I pursued several very strong leads that all seemed to evaporate right before they materialized. I couldn’t understand at the time why those doors seemed to be closing, but can look back now and understand how God was leading and protecting me.

            I landed a job teaching English to Chinese students over the internet. The hours were crazy. I had to be online by six o’clock in the morning. Naps became a regular part of my daily life. I absolutely loved teaching my kids in China. It was a fun job.

            In late summer, an announcement came that the Chinese government had decided that all the tutoring was putting a heavy burden on parents. They decided to close down the whole industry, both the private lessons there in China and the public companies like I worked for. The rumor mill went crazy on Facebook about when the end would arrive.

            The end has finally arrived and I am “retired” again. Saying good-bye to those precious little children has been an emotional challenge. They didn’t understand, as most children wouldn’t, why their government had made this decision. Most of my children have avoided tearful good-byes. One of my little favorites decided he wanted to laugh with me until the very last second. It was the only thing that kept me from crying.

            Another door has closed. Another chapter has ended. If we think about it in terms of writing, I now have a blank page with the cursor blinking, waiting for the new chapter to begin. This moment brings about two very different emotions. There is the anxiety as I watch the cursor blink, blink, blink. What will come next? Did I miss an opportunity?

            The other emotion is one of excitement and wonder about the new adventure that awaits me. What has God got up his sleeve now? What has He been planning for me? The opportunities and possibilities seem endless. As I fill out applications and send off resumes, I wonder: could this be my next adventure? Is there something else around the corner waiting for me to discover?

            It depends on the moment which emotion is gripping me. I try my best to keep my mind focused on the positive and believing good things about my future. When I find myself struggling with bad thoughts, I remind myself what God promised in Jeremiah 29:11, that He has made GOOD plans for my future. That gives me hope and strength to carry on.

            Today I find myself writing this to myself as much as I am writing it for you. God is watching over our lives, every moment of every day. Nothing has escaped His attention. He knows that we have our physical needs that must be met. He knows that I need a new job.

            He knows everything. He knows if we are sick. He knows if we are having relationship problems. He knows if we are dealing with the loss of a loved one. He knows if our boss is working against us. He knows if we have been treated unfairly. He knows!

            We have to remind ourselves that God is our provider. We have to believe that God is our healer and deliverer. We have to trust that God will take care of injustice. He is the God who sees all and will defend the weak, rescue the downtrodden, and free the captive. He is our safe haven from the storms of life. There is nothing too difficult for Him. He is the God of the impossible. He loves when we feel surrounded, so He can show Himself strong in our defense.

            I want to encourage you (and me) to remember that God is our provider, our strong tower, our ever present help in time of need. There is nothing beyond His ability to repair, restore, or make totally new. He is the God of the impossible. He is on our side. He will see us through whatever challenge we face. His eye is keenly upon us. He loves us and He will carry us. He is always and will always be there for us.

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

David Whisenant on 40 Years of Running

by   November 2, 2021 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Everybody around Salisbury knows David Whisenant. I can’t remember when we met, but it was a long time ago and probably at a race. David is a good runner who often attends the local races. Here are the facts about how he got started and what keeps him running today, more than 40 years after he started.

David began running as a sophomore at Salisbury High. He said, “I really wanted a letter jacket and figured the only sport I had a chance to earn a letter in was track. I ran the 880 and mile and did get my letter with the winged foot symbol in the middle of the S.”

He continued, “I now run 3-4 times a week, 4-5 miles each time. I have a route that goes through my neighborhood, the Salisbury Greenway, the Crescent, Catawba College near the softball field and Newman Park, and back home. I also run the occasional 5K. I run because it’s a nice way to shake off the stresses of the work week, it’s a time to be alone with God, and it gives me a good feeling of accomplishment. I feel guilty if I miss a run, so I’m pretty dedicated to it. I’m not fast, but I’m consistent.”

David’s most memorable race was the International Widow’s Day 5K in June 2013 in London. The race wound through Hyde Park, the largest of four royal parks in London. He said, “I ran by the Diana Memorial, the Serpentine, and other points of history. That was a thrill. When the race was over, I got to speak with Cherie Blair, the wife of the former Prime Minister Tony Blair. It was a charity race, and she was there in support of The Loomba Foundation that sponsored the race. We were in London on vacation, and I just thought it would be fun to try to get a race there. That was one of the highlights of that vacation. I’d love to run another race or two in a foreign country, but no trips are planned right now.”

David’s wife is Jtan, after they met at ASU. They have a son, Kyle, and his wife, Anna. David said, “We’ve been blessed with two granddaughters, Ava, 8, and Maisie, 5. I have a sister, Pam, who lives in Maui with her family.”

Anna runs occasionally, and she joined David for a 5K at the Salisbury VA. He added, “I’ve tried on many occasions to get my wife Jtan to take up running with me, but she always says that the only time anyone will see her running is if she’s being chased!”

David graduated from Salisbury High School in 1979 and from Appalachian State in 1983. Salisbury has always been his home. He said, “I’m a news reporter with WBTV in Charlotte and in my 30th year on the job. I cover local news in Rowan, Cabarrus, Iredell and Mecklenburg counties. My job can be difficult and stressful, but also fun and rewarding. I feel like it’s where God wanted me, and I’m blessed to be able to do it.”

When asked about other interests, David said, “I spend a lot of time at church. I teach Sunday school and am the deacon chairman at First Baptist Church. I also read quite a bit, mainly British history. I follow sports like NASCAR and Formula 1 racing, the Washington Football Team, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, Premier League soccer and of course, App State.”

As for running in the future, David said, “My only running goal is to keep running. I do try to improve my times but I’m realistic enough to know that can only go so far. I just want to be able to keep putting one foot in front of the other at a pace that’s faster than walking.”

Next Sunday is the Rotary’s Spooky Sprint 5K at Catawba College at 2 p.m. Look for it and plenty of other upcoming races at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org. You Might Like

Lost in a Good Book

by   October 30, 2021 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I am semi-retired. I retired from teaching in the public schools, but I have continued to work part-time. My part-time job allows me a great deal of flexibility. One of the things that I get to enjoy more now that I am retired is reading. I read every day at lunch. I have read a number of books since I retired. If the weather is good, I will sit on my front porch reading.

            While I will read some non-fiction, my preference is fiction. I love to get lost in a good book. The characters become very real for me. Sometimes I catch myself worrying about them while I am busy doing something else. If the story is really moving along, I might stay up late to keep reading.

            I did not read much when I was in school. Most of the books that you are required to read in school did not hold my interest. I didn’t know reading could be enjoyable until my parents challenged me to read a book by Og Mandino: The Greatest Miracle in the World. I couldn’t believe that I both read and enjoyed a book.

            When Og came to town to sign copies of his new book, I couldn’t wait. I went to a small bookstore where only a handful of people showed up. I got to spend almost an hour with him. He gave me his address and I wrote to him. He wrote me back…a highly treasured letter. I became hooked both on reading and writing.

            Og has since passed away, but I have found other authors that I enjoy. My favorite author begins his books with a man whose life has fallen apart for some reason. He meets a woman whose life is also messed up. The two of them must work together against some evil plot and save both themselves and the world. Naturally, the two of them will fall in love. His novels take place around the world in exotic locations and they are fun to read.

            There are two other authors that I really enjoy who write gut-wrenching books. The characters are put through horrific situations, things I prefer not read, but somehow the story ends in a positive and uplifting way. Let’s just say the good guys win and the bad guys get what is coming to them. The stories stick with you and sometimes haunt you like a ghost.

            I just read the climax to a book yesterday at lunch. I set the book down to finish today. This particular author writes a few chapters after the climax to give the reader a chance to say good-bye. I like that about this writer, but he sometimes puts a little twist at the end just to keep you on your toes. I hate to say good-bye to the characters in a good book.

            As a writer, I want to create unforgettable characters. Some have told me that they love Uncle Charlie from my Bluebird Café books. I want to improve my skills so I can write as well as some of the authors that I enjoy. I have heard that reading is the best way to become a better writer.

            There is one book that I have really enjoyed reading. It has mystery, intrigue, murder and betrayal. There is plenty of action and adventure. There is romance and poetry. There are some good and bad people in the book. You can cheer for the heroes. The book also contains one of my favorite characters of all time. Can you guess the book? It’s the Bible.

            No matter what style of reading you enjoy, there is something in the Bible for you. It’s God’s love story written for you. It’s the history of God interacting with people. It is the greatest book ever written, with many great contributing authors. Good always defeats evil, and justice always prevails. It is a story of human frailty and God’s love, strength, compassion, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. It is a book filled with hope.

            I want to encourage you to read. There is something for every interest out there. Each of us enjoys different things. Find what interests you and find the joy and pleasure of reading. I also want to encourage you to read your Bible. Start in the New Testament and read about Jesus. I hope you discover that God is talking to you, wanting to help you and guide you through this crazy thing we call life. If you will excuse me, I have got to go see how the book I am reading ends….

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

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