Why do They Have it so Good?

by   September 1, 2024 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

I have long appreciated the honest thoughts in the Psalms— songs of joy and lament and songs of pondering the realities surrounding the writer.

Consider Asaph, a song leader for Psalm 73, who felt envious as he looked about himself, seeing wicked, arrogant, godless people prosper. As we often do, he over-generalized what he saw – they have no pain until they die; they don’t experience trouble like the rest of the world. Ever feel that way? Ever start saying “they never, they always” when you look at others and think it is unjust that they prosper despite what you know about their character?

Asaph is in a pickle. He does not know what to make of this. However, verse 16 is key to unlocking understanding. He is weary in pondering until he enters the sanctuary of the Lord. While worshiping with others and looking upwards, he recognizes the end of those who live recklessly and selfishly, though perhaps successfully, on earth. 

I wonder what he heard when he was in the sanctuary of the Lord on the Sabbath. Maybe it was Psalm 92, titled A Song for the Sabbath. Take some time this weekend to read it. Within it is a comparison of evildoers and the righteous. Both flourish in some way. But one is only like the grass, doomed to destruction and scattered about, while the other is like a stately palm tree abiding in God’s presence. Maybe as it was read, Asaph looked over to the family who had been through pain yet exuded joy and hope. Did he see the old-timer still bearing the fruit of righteousness in old age and, though poor in material things, was rich in life and love? Moments of communal worship and the truth of God’s word can bring discernment.

The writer of this psalm goes on to confess that his heart had been embittered, and he acted ignorantly and like a beast toward God. Though you may have felt embittered, have you felt like you could lay out those words before God the way Asaph did? I marvel at his honesty. 

After looking out at the world and becoming embittered, then worshiping with others and hearing the truth, Asaph looks at himself and sees that he, too, was unworthy of grace from his Father. Yet even in his beastliness, the difference is that he longed to declare God’s uprightness and sovereignty. The wicked rejected that, relishing in their mockery.

Maybe Asaph felt guilty for acting so beastly and judging God’s goodness of bestowing common grace to the wicked – allowing them to have any earthly success. After all, that is all they would ever have. Yet, God accepts Asaph, beastly and all – “Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold my right hand…My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:23, 26).

Christian, are you frustrated by how good “they” seem to have it with no recompense? Gather with fellow believers in the church and look upward. Be reminded of what is true in the household of truth as you declare God’s righteousness.

Ashlie Miller and her husband, Chad, live in Concord where they raise their family. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

How to Choose

by   August 31, 2024 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            Do you find making decisions difficult? Some people are able to make decisions quickly and easily, while others struggle. Some decisions are easy, like deciding what to drink. Give me a glass of sweet tea. It’s the south, tea should be sweet! Other decisions require much more effort and time.

            Decisions are difficult because one decision can impact others. Some decisions might challenge our moral fiber or cause us to bend our values. How far will we compromise in order to move forward in life? Some work-related compromises might be as simple as having to rise earlier in the morning or stay later in the evening. Others decisions might require far greater.

            Promotions are great, but at what cost? If you had to move to another state, would you take the promotion? If you are single, that decision might be easier than if you are married with children. What if the promotion required you to go from first shift to second shift, would you take it?

            Deciding to buy a car is a big decision. Do you buy a new or used one? That sports car looks fun, but what will the insurance cost? One decision can impact another. Buying a house is another big decision. Which neighborhood is best? What schools will the children attend? How far is the house from work? What style house do you like?

            Another part of good decision making is seeking out great advisors. Seeking professional advice might initially cost you some money but ultimately save you money in the long run. If you choose the wrong plumber, lawyer, or doctor, you might not get the service you expect. The wrong plumber might be too expensive. The wrong lawyer may not make the right case for you. The wrong doctor could negatively impact your health. So how do you make the right choice?

            It all begins with prayer. You might argue that God is way too busy to help with my little decisions, but you would be wrong. God cares about every little detail of your life. The Bible teaches us that God knows every hair that is on your head, so that means He cares about all your decisions, even the little ones.

When you pray, ask God for wisdom and guidance as you approach the decision. I believe the most important part is to be willing to hear any choice God might have for you. Most people approach God and tell Him what they decided and ask Him to bless it. What if your decision is not His best plan for your life? How can He bless what He knows will turn out badly for you?

This step requires faith. God might open a door for you that doesn’t look like a huge blessing or a great opportunity, but in the end might be far greater than you could ever have imagined. God sees things you don’t. He might be planning for this decision to be a stepping stone, testing your obedience, before He blesses you.

I believe that seeking spiritual guidance from your pastor or other trusted spiritual leaders in your life is vital to good decision making. Spiritual leaders want the best for you and can seek God on your behalf and get a sense which direction you should go or avoid. God can use spiritual leaders to provide biblical guidance and a deeper sense of inner peace.

Ultimately we have to believe that God is in control and that He wants and will provide what is best for our lives. We also have to understand that God is going to lead us down a path, not a super highway. Paths create challenges for us. Paths cause us to seek and cry out to God for help. Paths require us to be in God’s Word so we can find our way. Paths will make us build a deeper relationship with God where we will see and experience Him as our Heavenly Father.

I want to encourage you to bring every decision before God and seek His guidance in your life. I understand that daily routine decisions don’t require us to seek God but we have to understand that God wants to be invited into our daily routines just as much as life’s bigger decisions. He has made great plans for our lives and has hidden treasures along the path for us. We have to slow down, seek His face, listen, and be willing to wait on Him if we want to make good choices. His wisdom and love will guide us if we seek and invite His direction.

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

Another of the Greatest

by   August 30, 2024 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

Driving out of the cemetery, my wife and I passed the worker’s truck. Parked a respectable distance from the grave site we had just left, it was loaded with the equipment and supplies needed for its work:  Shovels, rakes, and folded, green pads that were designed to imitate grass. An attached trailer carried a small backhoe. Soon, after all the friends, family, loved ones, and funeral home employees had left, the workers would drive the truck with its load down the hill to finish the covering of a life. This grave was like all the others in the cemetery, just newer; but also different because it was Paul’s, one of The Greatest Generation.

In 1998 Tom Brokaw published The Greatest Generation, an examination of American’s lives who were born between WW I and WW II. Paul was born in 1926, not many years after the Spanish Flu and WW I, and just in time for the Great Depression. Later, after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and entered WW II.

The Greatest Generation is called that because they endured the hardships of the Great Depression, then a world at war.  But the lessons from the Great Depression and the war are what helped form the character of Americans like Paul. During the Great Depression they learned the value of a strong work ethic, being frugal, and “making do.” During the war they fought, died, sacrificed, and joined forces to defeat an evil so that the world would be a better place. Yet their struggles did not make them bitter or resentful but caring and loving and appreciative of each other and a stable life. All of them, soldiers, ship builders returned home and carried on with their live.  Their fight against the evil threatening the world was just what they had to do.

Paul and Jean were the first people we met at FBC of Mooresville. On our first visit, they welcomed us and on the second visit Jean told us, “We’re so glad you returned.” That was over three years ago, but I still recall their kind words and impeccable manner and dress. However, before many Sundays, they stopped attending church for health reasons, but their imprint had been made on my wife and me.

These were my thoughts yesterday as I listened to the minister, sang the songs, and heard the shared memories of a son-in-law. The small, well-dressed man we knew from Sunday Service had helped establish a local church. He had led a full, vibrant life in his beloved community, and he was loved dearly by his family and friends.  We had met him late in his  life, but as I watched his grandsons tearfully carry his flag-draped casket from the hearse to the grave, I was reminded that while I had met Paul late in his life, I was still fortunate to have known him at all because, even in those waning days, he exhibited courage, loyalty, and sacrifice. His experiences in a depression and war had marked him; however,  the mark was not a stain but a badge of honor. Brokaw used the adjective greatest, and that is fine. However, other adjectives such as magnificent, extraordinary, or grand well-describe Paul and his generation. But the adjective is of no matter because Paul and his are The Great Generation.

I suppose that by the time we had arrived home from the service, the workmen had finished their task and Paul had, as King David wrote, “gone the way of the world.” But he and all his generation-the soldiers, the planters of victory gardens, the ship builders, the children who collected metal for the war cause, and more-are honored by those of us who still value honesty, loyalty, sacrifice, and duty to a just cause. They are not “suckers” or “losers” as some think, but lives lived for a common good. They made our world safer and better. We owe them to continue their work.

Upcoming Races

by   August 29, 2024 with No Comments

By David Freeze

   We have another Prediction Run on Saturday, August 24th at 8:30 am at City Park. Free to SRR members, prediction runs are open to anyone. Any non-members who pay the registration fee become members for a year. No watches, no phones and you’ll guess your total time prior to walking or running 3.1 miles. Closest to the predicted time wins and the top three get nice prizes. Everyone gets refreshments and plenty of fun.

     September has the new Hugh Bost Memorial 5K in Rockwell on the 7th, honoring the long-time police chief and raising money for Rowan County K9 programs. Next comes the Run for the Word 5K in Landis, now in its third year, on September 14th. Proceeds go for the South Rowan Bible Teachers Association since the state does not fund those teachers. New this year, Landis special police officers, Sheriff Andy and Deputy Barney have offered to make sure everything goes well in their favorite town. And the 21st brings the Town of Spencer’s Race to the River 5K. Formerly an afternoon event, the race moves to a 9am start that includes very fast miles 2 and 3 downhill to the river finish. 

     October has the new Back Creek Church Harvest Run 5K on October 5th. This is a totally rural course starting and finishing at the historic church in the western part of our county. Next up on the 12th is the Dolphin Dash at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The race benefits the school and is our only cross-country 5K with the entire course on grass and dirt. Then we go into Halloween mode for the St. Matthews 5K on Saturday, October 26th. Another rural race benefits church members or area residents with significant health concerns and expenses. Sunday, the 27th, has the long-running Spooky Sprint 5K where all proceeds go to Rotary programs. New this year is a course that includes the Catawba College Shuford Stadium track, softball area and the Salisbury Greenway.

     Also, in the fall will be our regular races at Grace Lutheran Church with the Clean Water 5K on November 9th and the fast-growing Butterball 5K on the 28th. December has the Freeze Your Buns 5K on the 7th and SRR’s long running Santa Run for Hunger 5K on the 14th.

     All of these races have a fun run except the Butterball, and all are on Saturdays except the Thanksgiving Day Butterball and the Sunday Spooky Sprint.

     Our fall Beginning Runners Class will begin on Thursday, September 5th. As usual, 8 weeks of classes at the Salisbury PD building at Lee and Liberty. If all goes well, I hope to participate in the class as a returning runner following my back injury in May.

     I love these classes and it’s always fun to meet the new people who take them. These classes have been offered for more than 20 years and the Salisbury PD is a wonderful host. We start with a half mile distance on the first night and we’ll finish with running a 5K on the last evening. Eight weeks, all on Thursdays, beginning on September 5th at 6pm. Participants will learn about topics including shoes and equipment, stretching and strengthening, nutrition, injury prevention, safety and running form.

     Just a quick note about my back. I no longer have to wear the back brace, and I have less restrictions. My back is healing and if all goes well, I should be able to try running again in a couple of months. I have been cleared to ride a stationary bike but not a real one. Thanks for the incredible prayers and support!

     Remember the feeling you get from a good run is way better than the feeling you get when sitting around wishing you were running! I know this for sure.

Gotta’ Run: Upcoming Rowan races

Be Happy

by   August 28, 2024 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

  • So often it feels not to be rejoicing or excited when we have so many challenges but;
  • There is strength and power in praise and rejoicing.
  • To rejoice in God and the Lord, because He never changes, He is our strength.

Prayer:  Lord I choose and I live to worship You and to rejoice today, I lift my hands in excitement and rejoicing to You because You are God regardless of what I am going through or what surrounds me, You are my strength.  Amen.

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

PLEASE Pray for David & Lynna

by   August 27, 2024 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

Just wanted to let you know that my beloved David has been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He started chemo yesterday and so far has done well. Would you make a special effort to pray for him? It would mean so much to us both. I had a whole blog written about how good the Lord is in the time of trouble, but it disappeared. The gist of it was that bad things happen to everyone, whether we serve Jesus or not. But the Lord is wise and has a plan to love us well.

But I bet you know that. So anyway, pray for strength for us both. In the meantime, we will “go in the strength that we have.” from Judges 6:14.

By the way, I’m not on Facebook, but you can leave a message in the comments below. It feels good to know folks are praying.

In His care,

Lynna

The Struggle is Real

by   August 26, 2024 with No Comments

By Rhonda Sassano

I already feel like this isn’t gonna work this time . . . . Daughter #2.    Daughter #1….the move out….the wedding….the no-keeping grand baby.  the job.  the rent.  the house search.  It’s all of it, Jesus.  The struggle with my website.  so no clients.  no time to paint or create.  very limited time to engage with You.

I just can’t, Father.  I can’t keep going like this.  My heart is too heavy to keep protectting and keep holding together. . .  like it’s made of lead instead of flesh.  

WHERE A R E  YOU???  I called and You didn’t come . . . I”m dragging my heart from valley to cave to hiding place looking for You.  

Trying to be silent until You rescue me.  But i don’t see you  sense you  feel you  find you   . . .    anywhere.

I want to command You.  Command You to come.  to fix.  to heal.   to right.  to halt.   to show.   to explain.  to divulge.   to enlighten.

to hear me

But even more, I want to be LIKE You.  I want to be who You made me to be.  And that is impossible unless I live by the Spirit and not by the flesh.  Impossible while the flesh lives.  DIE, FLESH, DIE.  But i don’t want to.  Flesh is fun.  Feels like my only fun, my only joy.  my only champion.  the only one who understands and sympathizes.  I feel like the constant pain gives me the right to indulge.  to skim over.  To pass by.  LIke, if You aren’t there for me, I have to be there for myself.  take care of myself.  defend myself.  protect myself.  joy myself.   peace myself.  

I am exhausted by all the breaking.

All these little points of disobedience are my way of . . . . . protesting.  rebelling.   S  I  N  N  I  N  G .      and in spite of everything, i don’t know that i’m ready to give it up.  No.  My flesh isn’t ready.  

BUT MY SPIRIT IS . . .           And so I will.    And i do.

J E S U S   YOU HAVE TO HELP ME!

I’ve made it a habit to disobey….created strongholds by own hands…..Trying not to make a list here.  to not make them my focus.  I focus on You. Your goodnes., Your faithfulness. Your mercy.  Your grace.   I bury the promise in WHO YOU ARE.  

Holy Spirit, remind me to keep my focus on You and let the temptation to do it all for myself fade into background.  Ignoring is my superpower…

So Simple, A Child Can Get It

by   August 25, 2024 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

Believe it or not, there was a time when the education system’s goal was to mold its students into contributing members of society. Much of the focus was on developing good moral citizens. Early primers combined proverbs and other Bible passages with fables, ancient stories, poems, and songs. As a homeschooling mom, I still look to teach virtues to my children. While they are not immune from being consumer-driven like many of us today, my hope and prayer is to give them a buffet of good teachings to remind them of their purpose – to glorify their Creator while also caring for others. 

I recently found a used copy of the thick volume of The Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett while shopping at Goldberry Books in Concord. This particular copy came out before I completed high school (no, I won’t say when that was), but as I am reading aloud from it daily, the lessons are still relevant. Consider this lovely poem on compassion by M. Bentham-Edwards:

A Child’s Prayer

God make my life a little light,

   Wishing the world to glow; 

A tiny flame that burneth bright

   Wherever I may go.

God make my life a little flower,

   That giveth joy to all,

Content to bloom in native bower, 

   Although its place be small.

God make my life a little song,

   That comforters the sad;

That helpeth others to be strong,

   And makes the singer glad.

God make my life a little staff,

   Whereon the weak may rest,

That so what health and strength I have

   May serve my neighbors best. 

As we pondered this poem together, even my 9-year-old could see something deeper for us as a Christian family. Jesus is our light, and we should be His light to others. Like a flower, He puts us in places to share His joy. When others are going through hard times, even if we are as well, we can carry a song and bring encouragement. If someone is humble enough to admit they are weak, or if we can see that they are in need, we can both provide refreshment and point them to a Sustainer (God) who can do even more than we are able.

As you send off your little lights, flowers, songs, and staffs into the school year, read them this poem to remind them to contribute more than they consume in a relationship and their community. Maybe it’s a good time for those of us in the school of life to read it to ourselves as well.

Ashlie Miller homeschools 4 of her 5 children in Concord, NC. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

Open Doors

by   August 24, 2024 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            How many of you struggle with left and right? It has always been a challenge for me. If you tell me to turn right, there is a reflexive action that will happen. My fingers will move to pick up an imaginary pen. I am right-handed and I will pick up the imaginary pen with my right hand. 

            When it comes to following directions, I am proficient. I have friends who struggle to get from place to place. If I go someplace one time, I can pretty much get there again. My best friend lived out in the middle of nowhere that required many turns on twisty roads, but I was always able to find my way there.

            Google Maps helps us find our way. If I am going someplace new, I will look at Google Maps and then bring up street view so I can see what corners and turns look like in real life. I am a very visual person and these aids can make a big difference.

            Doors can pose the same challenge as directions: “Should I go through that open door?” Open doors are inviting, but they are not always inviting us through them. Many people keep their doors open on a nice, sunny day, but that does not mean it’s an invitation to enter. Doors in many ways represent choices that we have to make in life. Do we go through the door, take advantage of the opportunity, or do we walk past the door?

            I think that many people believe that when God opens a door for us it will mean we are heading down easy street. They believe that everything is going to work well and that there will be no problems. While I firmly believe that when God opens a door for us it is intended as a blessing, I also believe that open doors often equate to growth opportunities. The blessing comes with challenges that will grow our faith and trust in God. An open door means that God wants to bring us into a deeper, more mature relationship with Him.

            An open door often means that God is giving us an opportunity to develop skills and abilities that He sees in us. That implies that we will have to work hard and push ourselves in order to grow into the opportunity. As we grow and improve our skills and abilities we will discover the many blessings God intended for us.

            I ran the cooperative education program for most of my career. I placed students on jobs and had a training plan for their growth and development as student workers. Maybe it is because of this background that I firmly believe that God has a training plan for us. He wants to develop our character. He wants us to know we can trust Him. He wants our faith muscles to grow strong.

            Think about King David’s training plan. He fought the lion and bear long before he defeated Goliath. After Samuel anointed him as king, his father sent him back to watch the sheep. He served King Saul by playing music for him. He also served Saul as a military leader long before he was in charge of the entire military. Some of David’s earliest followers were thieves, thugs, and the rejects of society, who he trained to become his mighty men. All of these combined to train David into a great king.

            If God has opened a door for you then I want to encourage you to be strong and courageous as you walk through that door of opportunity. This door does not lead to easy street. God is going to require you to step up into this opportunity, to grow, to mature, to build skills and hidden abilities, to overcome, and to work really hard. You will have to depend on God and build those faith muscles. But I firmly believe that God has hidden some wonderful blessings for you along the way. He sees great things in your future, but some of those things are going to require you give it all you’ve got. I believe you can do it. Take God’s hand and head on through that door, that opportunity, God has for you.

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

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