Such a Kind and Generous God

by   June 26, 2024 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Psalms 103:2-3  Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits– who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

  • We are not to get focused on the one negative thing or challenges, we need to see the bigger picture.
  • We have so much to be grateful for and we ought not to forget all His benefits/blessings.
  • He has forgiven every one of our sins and we can expect Him to heal every single sickness.  Hallelujah!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit help me not to focus on the challenges or difficulties or to be distracted from so many things that God has done for me and is doing for me.  Thank You for forgiving all of my sins and that I am healed in Your name.  I praise Your holy  name.  Amen.

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Off the Main Road

by   June 25, 2024 with No Comments

Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of life? Would you like a quiet place to live? It’s not easy. It is remote. Check out Steve Hartman’s story about living off the main road…you might like it!

The Door Was Open

by   June 25, 2024 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

We purchased our tickets.

We looked up the ramp toward the door.

It may have been a wooden ramp beneath my feet – but it felt solid as a rock.

It was leading up to the Big Boat – Noah’s Ark in Williamstown, Kentucky.

The door to the ark was open.

An ark is defined as a vessel or sanctuary that provides safety and protection. Noah built an ark as directed by God, in order to provide protection and safety from the flood God sent to cover the earth. The ARK lived up to its meaning!

During our visit to the Ark, the story of Noah’s Ark went from a story in the Bible to a story in the Bible that came to life. My words to my family as we walked through were mostly, “Look at that! Look at this!”

If you visit the Ark, I recommend asking the Holy Spirit to allow it to be a spiritual experience. I am certain it is much better when the Holy Spirit guides you through, as you will see a new revelation in each scene. I had read about it in God’s Word and felt it in my spirit, but now someone had given it life in the form of a lifelike walk-through on Noah’s Ark in Kentucky.

The wooden frame may have seemed a bit dark and dull,  but the experience was illuminating and illustrious. I was in a place made by man to give others a starting point for internalizing the magnitude of Noah’s Ark and also the magnitude of the purpose of Noah’s Ark. I chose to experience it with my heart more than with my eyes, although my eyes certainly were given a feast.

Noah did what God told him to do.

Then God shut the door.

The rain covered the earth.

In those rain clouds, the storm met the sun.

The rain ended.

Everyone began to look up – to see the rainbow.

It was a promise from God for a new beginning.

Everyone had a chance to accept the promise that was to come. They had seen Noah building the big boat for 40 years and they knew what he was up to – but yet – most chose not to believe God’s man. Or maybe they did believe – but they just thought they would get on board closer to the time the ark would be put to use – not knowing when God would actually be closing the door. They assumed there would be more time – perhaps one last second chance.                                                     

Only those who took that step and went through the door into the ark received the promise. Had they not taken that step and gone through the door, they never would have seen the rainbow. They never would have seen the promise.

Would I even have gotten on the ark?

Hmm? Noah spent years building it.

I hope I would have.

While visiting the Ark in Kentucky, it became much more than a story.

It became a choice.

It is our choice to get on the ark of safety given to us by God – before the door is closed.

I only had to look to page 18 in my Bible to read this beautiful story of God’s love:

Genesis 8:1 – God remembered Noah.

Genesis 8:18 – And Noah went forth.

Genesis 9:13 – God set the rainbow to be seen in the cloud to be a token of the promise and everlasting covenant between Him and those on the earth.

As I walked up the ramp to the ark, I thought, “I am so glad I purchased my ticket to go through that door into the ark of safety.”

No, I was not thinking about the ark in Williamstown Kentucky.

I was thinking about how Jesus purchased my ticket for me as He died on the cross for my sins, so that I could receive Him as my Savior and be on the ark of safety in His arms now – and in my eternal home – HEAVEN!

I am so thankful the door of salvation was open.

Big Little Things

by   June 23, 2024 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

Sleep away summer camp has been a rite of passage for generations now. Some of my best summer memories are from one particular camp, Ambassador Camp on Lake Waccamaw. I only had the opportunity to go 2 or 3 times, but the stays there filled my childhood with memories that have endured. Counselors like “Cousin Pamela” or “Cousin Paula” felt like aunts caring for me those weeks. The founder was affectionately called “Aunt Sara.” The cabins felt like “adventure sleeping” (Andy Griffith fans will remember Opie using that phrase) – rustic enough not to feel like home but good enough to get rest during a busy week. 

My children know silly songs I learned around the dining hall tables – “Fried ham, fried ham, cheese, and bologna…” I share stories of the themes from each week, how I learned to swim in a lake, and being awoken one night to come outside to watch fireworks. Then, there was the kangaroo court with silly judgments from made-up misdemeanors. Inevitably, one counselor would receive the penalty of a dreaded homemade shampoo of cracked eggs and other goop. 

At the time, I assumed we were remotely nestled away from civilization, with a field on the back side of the property. Stories of missionaries, like Amy Carmichael, and being caught up in island themes swept me away! Activities reserved only for camp weeks made this seem like a land of structured independence and fun. 

Last year, on a trip to the beach with a few of my children, we again drove by the Lake Waccamaw area – passed many times over the years. Not being in a rush to reach our destination, I decided THIS would be the time to stop to see if the camp still looked the same. After driving by several lake properties and homes, I missed the location entirely at first. When I pulled up to the camp, which was not in session, I could quickly recognize a few of the cabins and buildings. There was little change overall, especially in the size. But – as many recollections of the past now seem – the place seemed smaller than I somehow remembered, and it was not in a remote location but nestled among a lovely lake community.

Have you had moments like that – revisiting the old neighborhood where you rode your bike freely for seemingly endless miles only to realize it was not that big after all? But that freedom made it feel tremendous!

I find that, as an adult, my perception of things today is still that of a child. Trials find their way into my life and seem devastatingly big. Instead of fun and freeing childlike experiences, they are scary and paralyzing. Stepping back – or rather forward – I can see that they are not as big as they seemed to me at the moment. It can be embarrassing to ask others to pray for trials, especially when we compare them to what others are going through. It can feel like an insignificant request or lament to present to the Creator God. 

But nothing is too small for a big but personal God. Sure, down the road on the journey, a look in the rearview mirror may reveal that the ordeal was not larger than life. At the moment, however, it was very real and looming, yet that Big Creator met you there personally and calmed troubled waters. 

I hope this summer provides you opportunities to revisit and reminisce with fondness over simpler times and encourage you for the big, small things today. 

Ashlie Miller is mom to five children – one serving at camp all summer, three going to a camp soon, and another waiting for his turn.

Water

by   June 22, 2024 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I just looked out the window and noticed that things are looking a little dry. We watered everything just a couple of days ago, but it looks like we need to water again. We are in a dry spell, and with hot temperatures expected from now through the 4th of July holiday, we will need to keep a close eye on the potted plants. The raised beds out back are doing a little better, but they are thirsty, too.

            A friend asked how my garden was doing. Things are coming along well. I am not going to be getting many beans, as the rabbits have eaten the plants even though I planted seeds several times. The tomatoes are coming along but there won’t be any for the 4th. Other things are growing well, but I think I could use some fertilizer. I think the garden should be a little farther along, but maybe that’s me being impatient.

            Speaking of the 4th, I am looking forward to our annual family gathering. My brother hosts the gathering and you never know who might show up. There will be little toddlers to the elderly patriarchs gathering to celebrate family, friends, and of course, our nation’s birthday. I eagerly await the food, laughter, and joyful celebration.

            We used to host the family gathering on the 4th many years ago. My adult nieces and nephews were young kids and they loved going over to the Faith Fourth Celebration. After we came back there was always a water fight. It started out simply with squirt guns and water balloons, but would eventually become hose fights. One year I thought I would outsmart my brother and climb up on the roof and attack him from above. I didn’t think about him taking my ladder away, thus trapping me on the hot roof with no water supply. His kids have never forgotten those good times.

            Summer seems to revolve around having fun and water. Many have already or will soon be heading to the beach for a refreshing getaway. Others will be going to local pools, or if they are lucky, jumping into one in their own back yard. I have always preferred swimming in pools to the ocean. I love being near the ocean and even allowing the waves to wash up on my legs. I prefer to allow the animals to swim in the ocean while I stay safely on the shore.

            I am hoping I will get to see the Chesapeake Bay when I visit my sister soon. The last couple of summers I have visited her and we have either walked the beach or sat out by the water and enjoyed a beautiful afternoon together. The water has a way of calling to us. We have fun and can relax when we are near water. It has a way of refreshing and renewing us.

            Summer invites us to rest and relax, and often we do that near water. We need that sense of renewal mentally and we need it spiritually, too. We need to slow down and spend some time in quiet reflection with Him. We need to gauge where we are and where we need to be going. When we can disengage our minds from daily routines and the hassles of life, we can engage with our spiritual life.

            If we are honest with each other we could all use a refreshing swim in the water of His Spirit. We need to be washed and cleansed from all the things of this world. This is not our home or our destination. We need to wash our eyes from all the distractions of this world and refocus our vision on heaven. Who wouldn’t want to take a deep drink of God’s heavenly waters and receive the refreshment that comes from being in His presence? I want that sense of renewal to invigorate my spirit, that water from heaven’s river to touch and renew me.

            As we step into summer and all the wonderful times ahead, take time to be in His presence and allow your spirit to be refreshed. There are always going to be hot, dry times, so take advantage of your vacation time to connect with your Creator and drink from the water of His presence. He wants to refresh and invigorate your spirit. He wants your vision to be renewed. He wants to reveal the path to His heart to you. He, the God who created the entire universe, wants to spend time with you. I encourage you to connect with Him and allow the water of His presence to fill and refresh you.  

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

Showing Us How

by   June 21, 2024 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

Pastor Clarence Jordan showed us how.

In November 1942 he and Martin England, a Baptist missionary to Burma, placed a $2,500 down payment on a run-down farm eight miles southwest of Americus, Georgia. They named the scarred and eroded acres Koinonia Farm and began living the Sermon on the Mount as they worked to turn their purchase into a place guided by Jesus’ message in Matthew 5-7.

As a doctoral student in Greek at Louisville Seminary, Jordan did not just read the words of Jesus, but he began to use them as his guide for living each day. It was his firm  belief in those words that guided him to begin Koinonia Farm as a place for justice and equality during the days of a world war, the Ku Klux Klan, Senator Joe McCarthy, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, civil rights struggles, and more. His world, like ours, was divided. However, he remained loyal to the best sermon ever spoken and withstood attacks by the KKK and harassment by the FBI and local churches. In fact, because he brought a black man to a Christmas Eve service at his own Baptist church, the church told him not to return.

Pastor Jordan lived the words of Matthew 5:44 that tell us to love our enemies and at Koinonia Farm he showed us that it is not only possible, but better for us, to follow the Sermon on the Mount.

Koinonia Farm still operates today, and many scrumptious food items may be ordered from its website. I recommend Clarence Jordan, Essential Writings, edited by Joyce Hollyday, (Orbis publication) as a good primer on this man who showed us how to live during difficult times.

Walking Shouldn’t be Taken for Granted

by   June 20, 2024 with No Comments

By David Freeze

   As I write this, the farm accident occurred 20 days ago. I came home from the hospital after just three nights there. Sleep wouldn’t come and I couldn’t have been more uncomfortable trying to heal without it. The doctor asked me if I felt OK going home, and while totally surprised, I was glad to do it.

    Arriving home, I was extremely limited, both by plenty of rules and discomfort throughout my body. The nurse’s going home instructions said, “If it doesn’t feel good, you shouldn’t be doing it. You are the one who can mess up this recovery.” What I realized very soon was that nothing felt good. Not even sitting and certainly not standing.

    I have been sleeping well, but only in a recliner. I can’t lie down in a bed without aggravating the back. I was concerned about swelling in my legs and feet and poor balance. Both the spine doctor and Pam Roseman, Doctor of Physical Therapy said, “You need to start walking as soon as you can tolerate it.” They assured me that a lot of the swelling and back inflammation would be lessened with that.

    I couldn’t walk 10 steps without a walker or resting when I came home. The last four mornings, I have worked my way up to .66 of a mile although most of it has been in the driveway. Balance is slowly returning so in a few days I will try the road. I can also stand for more than five minutes in one place, and I can climb stairs slowly. The swelling in my feet and legs is gone. Bending is improving, within the prescribed limits. 

     Progress is being made and I credit the ongoing huge amount of prayers and community support. Thank you!! Another doctor’s visit is set for three weeks. Running remains far down the road. But I never will take walking for granted again!

    I revisited a term called active recovery this past week. Beginning to consistently walk will help me, but for other runners and athletes there are some tips that help too. Aches and pains are typical for those who exercise regularly. But active recovery will help lessen those problem areas. Here are some examples that incorporate gentle movement.

    During a sprinting workout, walk at a moderate pace in between sprints. During a strength workout, do some light calisthenics between sets instead of standing around. While waiting for the ball to enter your area during a soccer game, run in place to keep the heart rate up.

    After a hard bike ride or run, slowly keep the wheels turning or the legs moving to end the session with easy movement.  After a moderate run, walk or jog slowly at about a 40 to 50% effort.

    You can even make good use of a rest day. For runners, ride a stationary bike or climb on an elliptical. Other options are walking with a friend, using a rowing machine or swimming laps. Spend some quality time with a foam roller.

     These listed activities are also good options on the day after a race. I have always found better recovery by doing something instead of just lying in bed. Even after a marathon, your body wants to move. In fact, one of my best memories was walking a mile back to the hotel after the New York City Marathon. The dreaded soreness was much less of a factor the next day. But don’t ruin any of these things by taking a long hot bath. Soreness and inflammation will follow for the muscles that you just did good things for.

      Our next race is the Shiloh Missions 5K in Faith on Saturday, June 29th. Look for it and other events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Gotta’ Run: Walking shouldn’t be taken for granted! Plus tips for active recovery

Remember…

by   June 19, 2024 with No Comments

By Ed Traut


Psalms 103:2 (Message Bible) O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing!

  • So often when we are overwhelmed by life’s challenges we forget what the Lord has done.  
  • It is better to recite what we do have rather than what we don’t have.
  • It even promotes faith when we list and name one by one all that God has done and is doing.

Prayer:  Hallelujah!  I lift my hands up to praise You and to worship You because You have done so much and are doing so much for me and my household.  I count each blessing and I am naming them Lord, because the enemy wants to make me focussed on such small insignificant things.  I praise You for Your goodness.  Amen. 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Who is in Charge?

by   June 18, 2024 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

What? Why had no one told us there would be a drill today?

Usually, as a teacher, I was made aware of a fire drill ahead of time.

I knew immediately that something felt different. My students and I would not be lining up and marching out of the building silently to take our fire drill position in line on the playground. Instead, this drill signal was the one informing us that we were to take our students into our classroom CLOSET and wait together until further notice.

My students stared at me for a brief second before we all  began to walk that direction. We had practiced it, but had never put it into practice.

My 24 students silently moved to pack themselves tightly in that small space, and the 25th person was me. None of us could see our hand in front of our face. So we stood in the darkness. My position was to stand facing the closet door. In other words, if there was a shooter and the door opened, I would be shot first. As a teacher, I was always prepared for that, because I knew that my role would be to protect my students.

 In the darkness, I was praying silently as we held to each other. However, it was different from previous drills in my teaching career. Fire drills we were used to. Following those instructions was simple as we lined up and marched out of the building together silently, while making sure I had all of my students with me.

This drill was different. After an eternity, the closet door creaked open, leaving a crack of light visible in our dark space. There stood a police officer, looking serious and comforting. As his eyes met mine, he asked, “Who is in charge?” Without hesitation, I responded, “I am in charge. I am Mrs. Farabee, and my 24 students are accounted for.”

 I realized that I would have done anything to keep them safe – including sacrificing my own life. A classroom of students and their teacher become a family.

I would not have had it any other way.

Honestly, even though once we knew we were safe, that day did not return to normal at all.

Why accept normal when one feels greater than normal love for each other?

For a teacher, the classroom and their students are a home and a family every day.

As I stood in that closet with my 24 surrounding me, I knew.

I would have given my life for them in a second.

After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, an announcement was made that we could go back to our normal schedule.

Trust me. Nothing was going to feel normal that day.

However, I acted as if it had just been a drill and we were supposed to get right back to work.

I found out later that a fast food restaurant that was within a couple of blocks of our school had been robbed and that the robber had headed the direction of our school on foot. So, we went into lockdown. It gripped my heart with a plethora of emotions.

Those words still ring in my heart today, “Who is in charge?”

I knew the truth all along –

Fear not for I am with thee.

Isaiah 41:10

A Heart that Hides

by   June 17, 2024 with No Comments

By Rhonda Sassano

A Heart that Hides

Holy Spirit,  I am still feeling vulnerable.  And I’m protecting my heart from further pain.  It’s ridiculous, I know!  I’m such an absurdity!  I pull away and then wanna be close and then I get close and then something happens that I don’t like and instead of leaning in, I pull away!  WHAT DO I WANT FROM YOU??? How can I sense the closeness and much-longed-for intimacy when I’m constantly in and out and up and down and here and there and yon… I want to be able to push the emotions aside and just live from a place of … peace.  Deep inner peace that nothing shakes. Even as I write this, I’m aware that I do have that peace.  It’s just covered over with a few (ok, several) layers of mixed feelings.  Grief.  Sadness. Loss. Lack of hope. Too little joy.  And yet, I know where to find the antidote for each one of those things! Some days, I just cannot convince myself to reach out. To look for You. To seek Your face… I  let the paper tigers of  disappointment, frustration, and the possibility of rejection to come between me and You, to stand in place of the Veil, to keep me separated from Your Presence…it’s all too convenient to just not go there.  

I know what it is:  it’s the letter I received from a sweet young friend, offering help and a perspective that isn’t fully informed.  And now I need to have a conversation with this friend.  The potential for disaster is 

H U G E…  and my heart is closed up so tightly, all the inner recesses packed with excuses (and lies) in hopes of cushioning the blows that await me.  This never works for long.  But still.  There’s no convincing my heart to relax, to come out of hiding, to remain ready to receive, to just to see what happens.  Huh uh. . . the potential for pain is too great.  

It’s one or the other, though.  Either Mr heart is open to everyone, including You, or closed off and protected from everyone.  Including You. 

Selah.  

So I wait, with my heart deep under cover.  Will my friend realize? I’m usually so open and free, surely the difference will be noticeable! Even without intent, I must admit the spirit is felt rather than seen.  How many times have I just sensed when someone is hurting, even though their words and expressions belie the inner turmoil? That’s my spirit touching the other person’s spirit.  It’s wonderful and scary at the same time… I really want others to encounter the spirit of Jesus when they encounter me!  

Jesus, help me!  In your Name, I command my spirit to be open, to come out of hiding, to throw off the layers of lies and excuses, to enter a state of vulnerability!  I’d rather risk the wounds myself than be the one wounding her!  

I don’t feel any different.  But I choose to believe that Your Name has power over my heart and mind and spirit.  I command my emotions to be quiet.  I acknowledge you, but you are not my dictator.   Yes.  Peace is slowly stealing across my spirit, seeping in to all the crevices and secret spots, soothing the fears.  I trust You, Holy Spirit, for the right words at the right time.  This is a deep relationship, highly treasured and highly valued by us both.  By You, too. Our relationship will weather this storm and be stronger when it’s over.  

C’mon, heart.  You may not be able to trust me, or her, but He is trustworthy.  And if wounds occur, they will heal by His hand.   Heart, you are safe.  Not from pain, but from 

Brokenness is never wasted by a good, Good Father. 

“God is not looking for those who can but those who will.”

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