Shield’s Couple Part 1

by   May 15, 2025 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Shields Couple Cycle the Southern Border, Part One

    Nothing is more fun for me than talking running and long-distance cycling. Dave Shields is an excellent runner, then when he added the Appalachian Trail and a ride across America to our discussions and I got interested fast.

    Patty, age 61, and Dave Shields, 62, are both retired but busy.  Patty likes gardening, pickleball and aerobic activities.  They both participate in local 5Ks on the SRR calendar.  It was at one of their first SRR races upon moving to Salisbury in 2018, the Santa 5K/Bigfoot reunion near Millbridge, that Dave discovered Rowan Helping Ministries.  He volunteers there as an interviewer at the Crisis Assistance Network, does life coaching, and is on the Facilities Committee.

    Dave had a dream at age 30 to complete his own endurance triple crown which included completing the Ironman Triathlon, hiking the entirety of the Appalachian Trail, and riding a bike across the USA.  Once their kids were grown up, and at age 50, he completed the Ironman in Lake Placid.  At age 60, in 2023, he hiked from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, Maine to complete the Appalachian Trail.  Patty joined Dave on various hikes during each 500-mile segment of the 2200-mile-long trail.  During their first joint hike together in Georgia, and feeling a bit tired, Dave told Patty he didn’t think he’d wait until age 70 to ride across the USA by bike.  Patty replied, “If you do it at an earlier age, I’ll join you.” They thought they’d ride in 2024, but Dave needed more time to recover from his four month long Appalachian trail hike after the White Mountains gave him some knee tendinitis.

  For their cross-country ride, Dave and Patty chose to ride with a planned tour group because Dave didn’t want to manage the logistics like he did on the AT hike. They liked the idea of safety in numbers while riding on the roads with a group.

   Dave said, “The southern border trip was our default choice.  Originally, we had signed on with a tour company planning to ride from Los Angeles to Boston, starting in May.  The tour was canceled in late December 2024 due to a lack of participants, and we scrambled to find another tour. After a frantic internet search, we found the San Diego to St. Augustine tour.  Interestingly, it also almost didn’t happen due to a limited number of participants. The tour company, Timberline Adventures out of Boulder, Colorado, changed the tour from its usual normal of camping to a hotel tour. We are incredibly grateful that they chose to run the tour.”

   Both Dave and Patty are relatively fit. The biggest preparation is mental, knowing they would be biking 3000 miles over 43 days of riding, an average of 70 miles per day through elements out of their control including hills, heat, wind and chasing dogs. They spent hours pedaling a bike in the basement mainly to get their rearends adjusted to endless hours on a bike seat.  Dave, having completed several endurance activities, coached Patty on the mental adjustments needed for success which included focusing on the current ride and current day while keeping a sustainable pace over the length of the tour.

   The couple reported fantastic scenery! The bicycles allowed them to travel the country at a pace where they could appreciate all they were seeing. The deserts of the Southwest, the greening of the landscape through Texas Hill country, the Bayou of Louisiana, and the lush greenery of Florida offered them quite the contrast as they rolled along near the border. Seeing the massive border wall had them marveling at the engineering feat.

    Part 2 comes next week. The couple are back home now.

    Our next race locally is the Main Street Challenge 5K, Fun Run and Tot Trot in China Grove this coming Friday evening, May 9th. The Town of China Grove now owns the race after taking over from the South Rowan YMCA. It is high quality event on the fastest 5K course in North Carolina based on the 14 minutes and 6 second state record finishing time of Donnie Cowart in 2023.

     For more information on other upcoming events, go to www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Gotta’ Run: Shields couple cycles the southern border, part one

Lynna’s “P” & Breakfast by the Sea

by   May 14, 2025 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

“Pray without ceasing.” When our daughters were little, this was the first Scripture we taught them. Seems so long ago. I remember our middle daughter clapping and cheering when it was her time to say it. She must’ve been about four. Eventually they also learned the verses before and after. It sounds like this: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The New Living Translation says, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in every circumstance.” Honestly I don’t always feel like doing things that way. In fact, I’m not terribly pleasant at times. Perhaps I should “Pray without ceasing.” Maybe the thankfulness is less about my circumstances, and more about the Lord Who is in change of them. Now THAT I can be glad about.

First posted March 1, 2012

What is your default setting? Where do you go when nothing is making sense? Do you have a “happy place” that re-boots your psyche? Christianeze would say, “Run to Jesus.” So how do you do that when the bills pile up, and the pain is great, and prayers go unanswered?

A good friend of mine who struggles with depression will watch a funny movie. Another friend finds great solace in his deer stand. He can sit there in the cold, frosty morning and watch the forest for hours. David will take a long ride on his motorcycle through the quiet countryside. Me? Take me to the beach. Give me a day watching the waves and suddenly I’m good for another couple months.

The sweetest story is recorded in the last chapter of John. Seven guys were together after witnessing the horrible death of their friend. And even though they had seen Him alive, and had the realization that God had raised Him from the dead, their future was very uncertain. Unmet expectations, fear of the unknown and the lingering question of “What now?” made way for hurt and doubt.

Peter reveals his default setting with “I’m going fishing.”

His friends joined him. But after fishing all night their nets were as empty as their souls. With dawn breaking a stranger called out to them the ageless question.

“Catching anything?”

“We’ve got nothing,” was their reply.

“Throw your net on the other side,” came the familiar suggestion.

With nets suddenly full, memories of provision and care filled their weary souls. Once they hauled in the bounty, they made their way to the shore where Jesus was waiting. And He had a hot breakfast ready for them. Can He get any sweeter?

A HOT BREAKFAST!

Here is the Lord of glory, Who has just conquered death, Who understands their fear and emptiness, cooking breakfast on the sea shore for His weary friends.

He’s kind like that. It wasn’t enough to call out a greeting; or fill their boat with fish; or even just appear to them again in order to let them know everything would be okay. Nope. He cooked breakfast.

That is a picture of our Savior: Grace heaped upon grace.

Just when we cannot take another thing, He sends what we need to fill our empty souls.

Hold on my friend. He will be calling to you shortly. Don’t feel bad if you have to look to Him and reply, “I’ve got nothing.” He already knows.

And He’s cooking up something special that will be just what you need.

Mercy!

by   May 12, 2025 with No Comments

Steve Hartman revisits a story or incredible mercy. Maybe it is about mercy and love. You’ll have to watch and decide… ENJOY!

Fallen But Not Forsaken

by   May 11, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

It was not our first time observing birds; I wrote about watching birds a year ago this time. After all, it is the season of hatchlings making their way out of the nest. This time, however, it was a rescue mission. 

My observant son saw our dog, Bruno, in the backyard, making eyes at something. No barking, just eying down something. Usually, as is the case with many hound mixes, he attempts to feast on whatever it may be – a rodent, a bumblebee, a lizard, a snake, or a bird. When my son saw that all-too-familiar look in Bruno’s eyes, he made a mad dash to see what it was. Behold, a fledgling tufted titmouse – stunned, most likely from a fall from a nest, but further paralyzed by fear of the glaring eye of a large beast!

Heroically, my son rescued the bird from the potential jaws of death and relocated the little birdie to the neighbor’s enclosed yard. Upon further observation, my curious daughter could hear the distressed cries of the baby bird’s parents and sat watchfully outside the fenced-in area to see if the mommy bird would come to the rescue. Eventually, momma swooped down to offer sustenance to her stunned baby. There were periods when it seemed the baby was hopelessly abandoned, but those parental calls indicated that the baby was not forsaken. My sweet girl would encourage the baby, occasionally approaching and sweetly speaking to it.

Before the sun fully set, with gloved hands, she scooped up the fledgling and placed him in a more well-lit area of the yard. She watched as the baby bird found a cozy spot to rest. The next morning, she could hear small chirps from a nest nearby. We assume all is well with this little feathered friend. 

There is nothing like the care of a mother. The worries and seemingly nagging cries may annoy us in childhood or even up through adulthood, but when they are no longer heard, we miss them. The provisions and thoughtfulness that sustain us in our youth and delightfully surprise us later in life are but cherished memories when Mom is no longer here. How will we survive the rest of this life without her watchful eye and care?

Yet, somehow, we make it. Maybe we have someone who checks in on us when something is glaring us down. They may even mobilize us out of our paralyzing posture. There may be a friend sitting just outside our immediate situation who can see that we will be okay. They cheer us on, listen to God’s voice of truth and love, and maybe even relay those reassuring words to us. They may even help us get in a better position to feel protected and cared for. 

But even when that does not feel like the case, there is One loving caregiver who sees all and knows all. If God considers each sparrow that falls, He surely sees us—those made in His image—in our hurts and sadnesses. He rescues us from the jaws of death. He calls to us with words of comfort and care. He provides sustenance to carry on another day, and He even sends us the kindness of others to help us when we feel alone or orphaned.

Do you see someone who is alone or saddened this Mother’s Day? Look for ways to encourage and help. And if you are without a mother on this special day, thank those who have helped and cared for you.

Ashlie Miller was blessed to have a wonderful mother for almost 45 years whom she misses dearly. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

Love & Appreciation

by   May 10, 2025 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Love and Appreciation

            Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers! Prayers and blessings to all those who hope to be mothers. Peace and grace to all those mothers who are missing their little ones. Mother’s Day can evoke many emotions, from love, joy, and happiness, to various levels of sadness. While it is considered a happy occasion, it can be difficult for some.

            My siblings and I were lucky kids because God gave us a great mother. She gave each of us tons of love as we grew. She encouraged us to spread our wings and fly when it was time to leave the nest. She has been a cheerleader for all of her kids as we have all experienced successful launches. If you are lucky as I am, then you are blessed to have a good mother.

            My mom is the news keeper for our family. My siblings and I are all busy and while we keep in touch we don’t know everything that is going on in each other’s families. That’s where my mom plays a vital role; I affectionately refer to her as News Central. If something is going on in the family, just check in with News Central; she has all the details. So when we visit or call my mom we all find out what is happening elsewhere in the family. There is great comfort in knowing you are in the family information loop.

            While we are blessed with good mothers, God must have decided to bless my wife and me twice when it comes to mothers in our lives. When I was at college I ran into a bad living situation. An older couple decided to step in and help me out. They invited me to live with them for a semester. They became my “adopted parents.” My wife and I were close with them while we were in college. They shared dinners with us and took us on many adventures. We have many great memories of time spent together. We have stayed in contact with them since we were in college.  

            Our parents and adopted parents have been a great blessing in our lives. In return, we have strived to show our love and appreciation to them. We visit with them, try to be helpful, call, and send cards. It is important to give back and express our love and appreciation to those who gave so much to us.

            The question that rolls around in my mind is, how do we show God how much we love and appreciate Him? You can’t send Him cards. You can’t take a trip “home” for a long weekend or for the holidays. I know we can “call” Him, but aren’t those calls reserved for needs and emergencies? What can you offer and bring to God as a gift when He owns everything?

            I think we begin by talking to Him like we would our best friend. Tell Him what is in our heart. Tell Him about our hopes and dreams. Tell Him about our day. Thank Him for our many blessings. Thank Him for all He has given us. Thank Him for the special people in our life. Maybe, if we dare, ask Him about His day. Ask Him what is on His heart. Ask Him if He would like to talk with us about something. Talking with God is a two way street. Listening for His voice is critical.

            Next, I wonder what can I give God? I think we begin by giving thanks and praise to Him. Praise Him for the sunrise or sunset. Praise Him for the beauty in creation. Praise Him for saving your soul. Just praise Him with all your heart. Let that lead you into worship. He deserves your praise and worship. He is the God of all creation. Express your love and gratitude to God. These are things He doesn’t have until you offer them to Him.

            There are so many ways to show God how much you love Him, including reading the Bible and getting to know Him. I want to encourage you to demonstrate your love by expressing your heart-felt praise and thanksgiving to Him. Talk to Him any time you want during the day. You don’t have to be in a special place because He is everywhere. When you think about Him in the middle of your busy day, just send Him a little “Hello” which will bless His heart. God loves you unconditionally and He proved it by sending Jesus into the world. Let your heart respond to His great love.

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

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