Lynna’s “M” & The Happiest Easter

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By Lynna Clark

“May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious unto you; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” -Numbers 6:24-26

The New Living Translation says it this way:

May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.’

Tonight, instead of listening to all the clutter from the day, let this simple blessing become a prayer for the ones you love. And I will pray the same for you.

Jesus told many stories in order to illustrate eternal truths. How beautiful and colorful His word pictures were. One of those seemed less illustrative and more like the telling of something He sadly witnessed firsthand.

He told of a rich man who died and went to a place of torment. The man was so thirsty that he begged Abraham to send someone to him with just a drop of water to cool his tongue. When Abraham explained that there was a great gulf fixed between the place of torment and paradise, the rich man begged that someone would go to his brothers, who were still living, and warn them.

He pleaded: “If someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.”

Jesus continued the story with this sad ending:

“If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.”

Isn’t it interesting that while telling that story, Jesus knew that He would soon do that very thing? That even though He chose to pay for sin by giving His life and rising from the dead, there would be many who would not listen, who would not believe until it was too late.

If you’re reading this, you are of course on this side of the grave. You still have a choice. How sad it would be to spend eternity in torment when at this very moment you could call on the Lord Jesus Christ to save you.

He’s already done the hard part.

Will you listen?

Easter is a very special time for me. During Easter of my junior year in high school, I understood for the first time, that Jesus was not waiting on me to clean up my life. He knew when He created me that He already loved me enough. He invited me to trust Him, and I listened.

The verse that sealed the deal for me was 1 John 5:13.

“I have written this to you who believe on the Name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Yes! We can KNOW! Because it’s not about us!

It’s about Him.

water

Now go get yourself a cold drink of water while you still can. Call on Him to save you while you still have breath.

And have the happiest Easter of your life!

The story about the rich man is in Luke 16:19-31. More about salvation is revealed in John 3:1-21 when Nic came to Jesus at night to ask questions. Ephesians 2:1-10 makes it even clearer.

May the Lord sweetly and wonderfully strengthen you with the wisdom to choose Him!

A Tennis Court in Iowa?

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If you build it, they will come! That doesn’t just apply to a baseball field. It also applies to a tennis court. Yep, in Iowa a man built a Wimbledon replica tennis court. Guess what happened? People came…. Watch and ENJOY Steve Hartman’s story.

A Little Taste First

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By Ashlie Miller

Inevitably, when I cook a supper that emanates a fragrance throughout the house, someone finds their way into the kitchen to get a little taste before the meal. “What are we having?”, they ask while pots bubble or pans simmer. The answer is clear by the power of simple observation, but that question is an expression of hopefully being offered a little taste. Sometimes, though, manners are tossed aside, and hands snatch a sample. Like many other cooks, I will often taste before presenting a meal to ensure the seasonings are just so. I remember my mother having a little sample bowl and spoon handy, often consuming most of her meal before she sat down to a small serving with the rest of us.

You could call these samples a foretaste, though it’s not a word we often use today, except in some worship songs. Recently, our congregation sang two songs with that word: “Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine” and “What a foretaste of deliverance.”

I think about my children and husband getting a little taste of a meal I know they will love. The foretaste in no way satiates, but it does whet the appetite.

God does much the same for us on earth. What a kind God to offer us foretastes now on earth of a much greater appetite satisfied in eternity!

For His chosen people, the Israelites, though they went through times of exile, He promised to return them to their homeland. For Christians, as God’s chosen people in a new covenant, He promises an eternal land. 

As a child, I only thought that was heaven – which would be enough – but as I matured, I learned about the new earth, where God makes all things new. He will gloriously remake an Eden that was tarnished and destroyed.

When Jesus left heaven and came to earth as a human, some of His miracles revolved around raising people from the dead – a widow’s son, a 12-year-old girl, and Lazarus. In Lazarus’ case, he had been dead for days. “Lord, by now, he surely stinketh,” the Bible says. In all cases of those resurrections, they were temporary. Those people eventually died. However, I wonder if the resurrection of Lazarus from a tomb was a foretaste of Christ’s own resurrection, demonstrating to His disciples and the nonbelievers and critics that He had the power of death and the grave. 

Even Christ’s resurrection, which we celebrate this weekend, is a foretaste of the resurrection of the saints – those who put their trust in Jesus as Lord. The one who has the power of sin, death, and the grave surely has the power to raise His own children from eternal death and destruction for an everlasting life of dwelling with God in a beautiful land. 

Has God raised you from seemingly impossible depths? Do you have an inexplainable sense of homesickness for a more perfect place? Perhaps they are foretastes.

This Resurrection Sunday, whether you are gathered at church to celebrate Christ’s resurrection or at a stove, sampling the delicacies of a meal you will share with family, remember that it is all a foretaste of something greater. 

Ashlie Miller will celebrate the resurrection early Sunday morning as her husband, Chad leads the congregation of Mission Bible Church in Charlotte, NC. You may email her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

Another Year

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By Doug Creamer

Another Year

            I received a text from a friend this week congratulating me on another safe trip around the sun. He was wishing me a happy birthday. I enjoy having birthdays until we get to the year when I have to put a zero at the end of my age. I don’t like changing decades. Thankfully, this was a non-decade changing birthday.

            Age is just a number. It’s more important how you feel and how well your body is holding up. The reality is that as we add years there are some side effects. One of the things I’ve noticed is that I need to sit down and rest a little more often while working in the yard.

            I still feel young when I am teaching at school. My students think of me as “older,” and compared to some of them, I guess I am. I think the prime of life seems to be the twenties, thirties, and forties. I am also discovering why we need to retire. It takes longer to do certain tasks so we need to retire to allow more time to get things done.

            When I mention any of this to my parents, who are both in their 90’s, they tell me that things change considerably after you cross the 90 mark. While my parents both have good days and bad days, I think they are doing well for their age.

I qualify for a senior discount but I haven’t asked for it yet. I have received the discount at Harris Teeter a couple of times and I have to admit that I liked it. It is a small savings so I am not sure what I would do with it. I guess I need to start taking advantage of the opportunities this white hair on my head has earned for me.

There is one other thing I have noticed about being older. Time seems to be moving more quickly. It seems like we just finished putting Christmas away and here we are at Easter. We’ll blink and be at the Fourth of July. Then fall breezes will begin to blow. Once fall arrives, we will be back in the holiday season. We need to slow time down! I need to get my garden planted. I am dreaming of my first tomatoes.

I realize we can’t slow time down. We can only choose to live in the moment and enjoy the time God has given us. Easter is here! My wife and I both love spring, watching Mother Nature come alive and seeing the beauty blossom in front of us. There are streets lined with dogwoods that I will purposely drive down to enjoy their beauty. The azaleas have been beautiful this year. I love and appreciate spring’s beauty.

It seems appropriate that Easter falls in spring. Jesus died on Good Friday and then rose from the grave on Easter morning. Earth’s awakening each spring should remind us of the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus paid the price for all of our sins. We are forgiven and we can now have a relationship with God the Father because Jesus paid for all our debts.

I taught children’s church last Sunday and one of the kids mentioned that Jesus went to heaven when He died. I told the kids that Jesus didn’t go straight to heaven but that He actually went to hell. They looked at me in shock. I told them that He had to go down there to let Satan and all the demons know that He had fulfilled God’s plan and redeemed mankind. He took back the keys of life and death and set the captives free.

I thought about that interaction with the children. Jesus paid the price for all my sin through His shed blood. Jesus paid for my healing through His broken body. Jesus has opened the prison doors to all who find themselves trapped by depression, anxiety, and/or addiction. Jesus set the captives free. Jesus restored the broken relationship between God and mankind. Jesus gave each one of us access to grace, mercy, forgiveness, peace, joy, and God’s unconditional love.

I want to encourage you to open your heart to God this Easter. He offers you life and hope in exchange for your brokenness. The gift of Easter is a restored relationship with your Heavenly Father. Whatever age or stage of life you find yourself walking in today, God wants to be a part of your life. He opened the door and paid the price for you. All you have to do is receive this precious gift, which leads to eternal life with God in heaven.   

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

Porch Lights

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By Roger Barbee

            This morning as I prepared my stationary bike for my ride in the damp, dark morning, I noticed our front spot light was still on and made a mental note to turn it off after my ride. Mounting the bike, I hoped that I would remember.

            Growing up in the 1950s of the South, all the mill houses, like ours at 312, had front porches that ran the width of the house. Chairs of various types would always be available for relaxing, and often porch swings hung by their chains from brackets in the porch ceiling, comfortably accommodated two adults or four playful children. Always painted white, the swings waited for a family member or members to “sit a spell” and rest or visit with a neighbor who happened by. After dark, they sometimes held young lovers who pushed gently back and forth whispering, snuggling, and maybe kissing—until a parent in the house turned the porch light on as a signal that it was time for the boy to leave and the girl to come into the house.

            The porch light of 312, where I grew up, was a bare bulb screwed into a white, porcelain fixture. Usually white, the 25 or maybe 40-watt bulb, would be replaced by a yellow one during the hot months because mosquitoes and other unwanted bugs would not be as attracted to it as the white ones. Because the houses had no air conditioning the front porch became an extension of sorts for the family or living room where the cooler temperature of a hot summer day could be enjoyed. The dim, porch lights were turned on at dusk and turned off at dawn. Not as majestic as a lighthouse beacon, they served the same purpose- to guide sojourners by their 25-watt bulbs.  Those bare bulbs led family and visitors through the dark and into the house.

            I did, for once, remember to turn the front spot-light off following my ride. The back one, which illuminates the kitchen area, was turned off earlier. Our house, like all in our neighborhood and most neighborhoods today, has no front porch or, at best, has an outside vestibule large enough to stand while unlocking the front door. Modern homes are mostly built far from roads making contact with passers-by impossible, and the climate controlling system in each makes the desire for outside cooler air during hot, humid Southern nights obsolete. But modern homes have improved on the dim porch lights of post WWII America. Like ours, all or most, have spot-lights that come in several models, wattage, and other choices. Ours are operated by a switch in the house, but we could have ones that are motion detector controlled, dawn to dusk controlled, cell phone controlled, or with other systems. But the porch lights of today are installed for other reasons than the types I grew up with.

            The modern porch light is designed to repel. It is a beacon, but one that shouts, “Go away, or the house alarms will signal the police to quickly come.” It does not invite the sojourner but is a Maginot line sold to make us feel safer.

            There was a time in our lives that such home defenses were not needed, but those days slipped away. We now live in a culture of home invasion, purse snatching, and more. I do not fault homeowners for protecting their homes and family, but I question why our society has fallen to such a level that some are so brazen to invade a home or snatch the purse of an elderly woman in broad daylight. What bred in some people such bitterness that led to desperation then vile action? 

            Just as with the outside lights, I am like many people. But instead of lights, I am thinking about The Sermon on the Mount, which before this week I would have assured you that I had a solid understanding of, until I began reading Clarence Jordon’s explication. In Matthew 5:22, Jesus says, “ Whereas I say to you that everyone who becomes angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; and whoever says ‘Raca’ to his brother shall be liable to the Council.; and whoever says ‘worthless reprobate’ shall be liable to enter Hinnon’s Vale of fire.” (Hart)

            These are strong words that cause me to wonder if one reason we feel a need for stronger porch lights and such, is, as Christians (individually or collectively), we have shouted “Raca” to many of our citizens? Have we and do we look at Christian brothers/sisters and think “worthless reprobate”?  If so, then we have marginalized our fellow Christians and are in danger of being cast into Gehenna, regardless of our porch lights and alarm systems.

Amaral Competes in an Ultra Marathon

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By David Freeze

Amaral Completes 100 Mile Ultra Marathon

    Jim Amaral is 37 years old and has always been passionate about physical activities and competing in sports. He said, “As a kid, running was a form of discipline or conditioning by my coaches, so it was a chore rather than an enjoyable activity. In my early twenties, I sustained a serious knee injury that involved the separation of my quadriceps from my kneecap and even exposed my kneecap. This injury limited my physical ability at the time and ended sports participation.”

     But in his mid-twenties, Jim discovered yoga which helped him regain strength and flexibility in his knee joint. He moved to Rowan County in 2016 and joined a workout group at the South Rowan YMCA. He ran with some of the group members, and from there, things snowballed. A half marathon led to a full, which then led to a half-Ironman, and eventually, he completed a couple full Ironmans. An Ironman includes a 2.4 mile deep swim, 112 mile bike and full marathon of 26.2 miles to finish up.

     After completing both Ironmans, Jim found himself wondering, “What’s next? Why not an ultra?” In December 2024, he ran his first 40-mile ultra, followed by a 50-mile ultra in January 2025. Both were part of his training and preparation for Blackbeard’s Revenge 100-mile ultra on the Outer Banks.

     Jim said, “I simply enjoy the challenge. Physical fitness and achievements through races are earned through hard work and sheer willpower. There’s no shortcut. No flattery to get ahead, no financial advantages, and little to no luck involved. Privilege doesn’t play a part (aside from having a capable body). There’s something pure and incredibly fulfilling about that.”

     No ultras are easy, but this one was extreme.  Jim said, “The wind made the experience very challenging. While crossing two bridges, at times the wind would push me into the concrete barrier. I quickly realized that running was not an option on the bridges; I made more progress by staying low, shielded by the concrete barriers, and power walking. In some sections, when exposed to the sand dunes the combination of wind and sand was so fierce that it felt as if my skin was being sandblasted.”

     Jim had a support team of four, including his wife. He said, “They were there for me every step of the way. At times they paced me, gave me pep talks, waited for me at exchange points for sock and shoe changes, and always had my favorite fuel ready. Having four people that dedicated an entire weekend to support me was truly special. There’s no way I could have achieved the success I did without them.”

      While growing up in New England, specifically in southeastern Massachusetts, the beach was a regular part of Jim’s life. OBX and its scenery reminded him of home. He said, “I’ve lived in North Carolina since 2008, and I’m proud to say that I finished 6th overall in the Blackbeard’s Revenge, and the first person from North Carolina to finish this North Carolina race.”

     Jim is the Assistant Director for Salisbury Rowan Utilities where he takes pride in serving the community by overseeing their most vital resource, water. His wife of 15 years, Heather, is from Stanly County and is a nurse practitioner at Rowan Diagnostic Center.

     The couple is in the process of adopting a little 3-year-old girl named Aubrey. Aubrey was brought into the practice where Heather then worked in very poor physical condition. Jim and Heather believe she was approximately 10 days old as she was not born in a medical facility. Jim added, “Aubrey was rushed to Presbyterian in Charlotte where we received approval to stay with her, and she has been with us ever since! We received guardianship of her December 2022 and hope to adopt her soon!”

     Jim’s plan is to lay-low and enjoy the summer, run around the county but most importantly stay healthy and active for his two girls. Heather and Jim plan a trail ultra together soon but haven’t decided on the race yet.

        Next Saturday’s race locally is the One in 5K and Fun Run at Salisbury Community Park. Look for more details on this and other upcoming events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Lynna’s “L” & That’s my Donkey

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By Lynna Clark

We love Him because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19

The worship leaders at our church have written a new song based on this verse. It goes like this: ” I love how He loved me first. He called me from the grave, pulled me from the dirt, I love how He loved me first.” *

I wish you could hear me sing it. Talk about a joyful noise! After a recent surgery, I wondered if I’d live to tell about it. And frankly, I didn’t much care. But you know what? God called me from the grave, pulled me from the dirt; all because He loved me first.

My love for Him will never match His great lovingkindness toward me. But I can sure appreciate how much He cares. When I think about all the ways He loves me, worship comes easy. Thank You Lord.

*What a Miracle,” featuring Chris Brown and Elevation Worship

“Hey man! Don’t be takin’ my donkey!”

That’s what I would’ve said if a couple of strangers came up to my house and started untying the family beast of burden. I mean, how will we get the firewood home, or take grandma to prayer meeting? You can’t just go around taking people’s donkeys.

“The Lord needs it.”

That’s what Jesus told his friends to say when He sent them to fetch the donkey. Apparently that’s all it took. The owner had no problem sending his valuable property with strangers. He wasn’t promised a great return on his investment. He wasn’t promised the donkey would be brought back fed and watered… or even returned at all.

All he knew was that the Lord needed something he had.

If I had a donkey, I can hear myself reasoning…

“Sorry guys. It’s the only donkey I’ve got. You’re gonna have to find yourself another mode of transportation. I just made the last payment. Had to finance it for six years, but finally it’s all mine.”

“What? The Lord needs it? The Lord has everything. What does He need MY donkey for?”

I’m afraid me and my donkey would’ve missed the Jesus parade… the only one He ever had.

In fact, I think I would’ve missed a lot of things.

I don’t believe I would’ve climbed a tree to get a better look. People would surely laugh at a grown woman in a tree.

I wouldn’t have called Him up for a night time meeting so He could answer my questions. Folks might talk.

I doubt I would have given my lunch to Him when everyone realized it was time to eat and there was no food. What good would my little pitiful sack lunch do?

And I KNOW I would not have stepped out of a perfectly good boat to go traipsing across the water. Who would take such a risk?

Not me.

In fact, everything is just fine the way it is. So Lord, I’m here for You… right here in my cozy house, with plenty to eat, and my nice warm bed, surrounded by things and people I love, with my precious donkey safely tied outside.

Hmmm… Sounds like a parade off in the distance.

I wonder if I’m missing something.

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A Lesson in Listening

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Steve Hartman teaches a lesson on listening. We all have lots to say, but the question is do we have time to listen? I mean really listen to someone else. Here is a story about listening… Hope you listen! ENJOY!!!

Teamwork!

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I gave the sermon at our church a few weeks ago. I taught on teamwork. It is not your conventional sermon. We were preparing to launch a new vision for our church and my Pastor wanted me to introduce the new series with a focus on the idea that we need everyone to help fulfill our new mission. You can skip forward until you see me come on stage. ENJOY!!!

Why Are These Frogs on this Table?

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By Ashlie Miller

Do you remember object lessons in school or, better yet, volunteering as a participant? What are some of your most memorable ones?

If you were to visit our home over the coming week, you would see us preparing for our family’s favorite object lesson and tradition –  a Christian observance of Passover Seder as we approach Resurrection Sunday (Easter). It is a tradition my family began enjoying when our older children were much younger, and many are celebrating this weekend through April 20. While we are not Jewish, a study on Biblical Feasts as part of our homeschool journey opened our eyes to the beauty of this celebration that we implement in our own way.

Growing up in the South, I knew the importance of Easter Sunday. However, we did not observe a traditional or liturgical Holy Week. So, as you can imagine, I always wondered why “The Ten Commandments” would air each year at that time. “Why aren’t they showing a film on the crucifixion instead?” I would ask.

It would be young adulthood before I realized the significance of the Passover, even for the Christian. The sacrifice of the Holy One Incarnate – Jesus Christ – epitomizes the importance of Passover for us. The Spotless Lamb who took our sin upon Himself. The one who set us free from the bondage of slavery to sin (and ourselves) and brings us into a land of hope and promise.

While many will have had their feast this weekend, we usually reserve our Passover remembrance for the Saturday before Resurrection Sunday. It is a time to invite other families or individuals to join us.

We will cover our table with a dark blue cloth divided by a white runner to symbolize the parting of the Red Sea as the children of Israel escaped from Egypt. Scattered across the table, you may see small drawings, Lego figures, or other small toys presenting the 10 plagues (I promise it will not look as graphic as it may sound!). We thoughtfully make our way through symbolic elements of a meal reminding us of the Passover. Rather than alluding only to the freedom and deliverance of the bondage of slavery in Egypt and the hope of an Elijah to come prepare the way for a Messiah, as Christians, we save a seat for the promised return of a Messiah who has already come.

We also included once-a-year treats like matzah ball soup, potato latkes (a favorite around here), and chocolate-covered matzah crackers. My local Publix and Harris Teeter take out the guesswork and hunt for recipes thanks to boxed varieties of soup and latkes.

Why do we focus on Passover during this time if we are not Jewish? Our senses of smell and taste serve our memories well. We long for our children, friends, and neighbors to experience the lesson of Jesus as Messiah and our Passover Sacrifice. With a few modifications, Passover Seder becomes pivotal to our experience for Resurrection (Easter) Sunday.

Can someone pass the latkes and chocolate matzah?

Ashlie Miller and her family celebrate this season with Passover Seder and delicious Resurrection Rolls. You can contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

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