All contributing writers
Steve Hartman reminds us that each one of us has a calling and a purpose. You may be the Doctor or you might just be… you have to watch it to find out. One thing I will tell you…He found his calling and he IS MAKING a difference!
Are you thirsty for the grace of God? It’s like a cold glass of water on a hot day… Learn & Enjoy!
By Ashlie Miller
This week marked our family dog’s “Gotcha Day,” the day when we adopted our pup a few years ago. Unlike many families today, my friends and I mostly grew up with outdoor dogs – those hearty, full-of-energy guardians of the yard and outdoor playmates. When my husband and I decided it was time for our family to have a furry pet (as opposed to the small, scaly aquatic variety), we knew it could only be a dog and an outdoor one at that. Allergies and preferences helped make that decision, along with the thoughtful input of a veterinary friend.
It was instant puppy-love at first sight when we took our children to the animal shelter. The pup, however, wasn’t too sure about the 5 larger-than-life personalities surrounding him.
Although I am not a huge animal lover in general, this little critter won me over pretty easily – floppy ears, a timid but lovable disposition, and amber eyes filled with story and personality.
Bruno was decidedly his name. My suggestion won the vote over the 5 kids’ list of names like Pluto, Biscuit, Cinnamon Biscuit, and Butter. You know, names small children with no experience naming dogs would choose.
Once he adjusted to his new surroundings, the hound in him began to show itself with loud baying at various times of the day or night. Sometimes it was over something you’d expect – a chipmunk caught in the drainpipe; a raccoon up in a tree; possums maneuvering; a deer nibbling on the neighbors’ flowers. At other times, he could be going nuts over a frog, a cicada, or a bumblebee.
The children are convinced that Bruno is most endeared to me because I occasionally make chicken broth as a special treat. The reader should know he may not have a discerning palate, but I won’t go into detail about what we usually see him eating every day in the backyard.
He has been a loyal companion, accepting warm embraces or showers of tiny tears from those broken-hearted over the ills of this world (like being misunderstood by siblings). He, too, expresses hurt feelings over not being included in car rides, casually waiting at the top of the yard with his back turned in great offense, but then switching to a wagging tail signaling forgiveness once we enter his domain.
At times you will hear someone express frustration over Bruno destroying a toy or snatching a sock that shouldn’t have been left accessible. Once, he managed to sneak into the house and counter-surf his way to a pan of brownies, only to be caught red-pawed by one son, who then had to help him expel his ill-gotten dessert to keep him safe. Occasionally, there are impromptu seek-and-finds when he darts and dashes beyond his boundaries. At times, it’s enough to make us question our decision to own a dog.
But usually, those questions are drowned out by laughter and squeals of delight bouncing across the yard as the kids play with their backyard pal. In extreme seasons, he enjoys indoor visits with plenty of doting. There are lots of “What a good boy!” when he protects the yard from menacing creatures, and peaceful gatherings on cooler nights around the fire pit as our hound nuzzles his way in.
Lessons of unconditional love, patience, and even forgiveness. Moments of temporary sorrow and sympathy when he is suffering. He has taught us lessons that are sometimes best learned through having a pet while growing up. He’s a good boy.
Ashlie Miller makes broth for Bruno in Concord, NC. You can send “Gotcha Day” messages to mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com, because Bruno isn’t on social media.
By Doug Creamer
The Future
I had to go to Winston early in the week, and I saw some trees starting to show some color while I was up there. Wait…the calendar says October! That can’t be right. It was in the 90’s last week, it can’t really be fall yet. Whether we are ready for it or not, fall is here.
I have been peeking ahead at the winter forecast and it is looking quite interesting. I do want to caution you about all the fear-mongering that some weather websites are promoting. We are not going to get buried in snow. If you follow the almanacs you will see that one is predicting a warm winter while the other is predicting a cold winter. What do you believe? While most of you know that I am a snow lover and am always hopeful that we will get some snow every winter, I am not getting too excited just yet.
There has been much written in all the media about the super strong El Niño. We can’t make winter predictions based on one factor. We do know that El Niño winters tend to be wetter, but that does not mean all snow. We might get rain, sleet, and freezing rain. The best news about a wet winter is that I hope we can wipe out the drought conditions which have lingered for the southeast.
You can be sure that I will be watching the trends and the forecast very closely and sharing my opinion with whomever will listen. What falls from the sky is not decided by any weather personality but by a much higher power than that! God has already seen the winter and the winter weather that is ahead for us. Our job is to trust Him and know that He is keeping a close eye on us.
It’s not just the weather but all aspects of our lives that God has in complete control. He knows what is going on in your life right now, both the good and the bad. He knows the things you are struggling with and sees the path that will lead you through them. He knows the challenges that are still to come and is making plans to help you through it.
The future can feel scary and overwhelming. No one knows what tomorrow holds. I have some friends who firmly believe that Jesus is coming back within the next couple of years and others who wonder when He is coming back. The answer according to the Bible is that no one, including Jesus, knows when He is coming back to get us. Only the Father knows when Jesus will come to bring us home. Heaven and the future are exciting and interesting topics but remembering who holds them is more important.
I believe that God wants us to live each day impacting the people around us for His kingdom. We can do that by sharing encouraging words. Maybe we can lift someone’s burden or give them a helping hand. Showing people kindness can change a person’s day in a positive way. We all have opportunities every day to bring light and hope to people.
The future is filled with the unknown. How do we prepare? How do we know what things to do or not do? What are His plans and how do I fit in? There are many questions about the future but we have to learn to trust Him with the details. Having faith that we can hear His voice and live in obedience will help us feel assured that we are on the right path.
Our future is in His hands. The Bible teaches us that God makes good plans for our future. He is a good Father. Our job is to seek His will and guidance, especially when we are facing big changes. Should we change jobs, move, get married, retire? It’s not easy to know and figure out His will. That’s why it is important to be connected into a local church where you have brothers and sisters who can join you in your prayers. God will reveal His plans, which are sometimes different than ours, because He can see things we can’t.
I want to encourage you to trust God with your future. God is in control of the weather, the stock market, the rapture, and the intimate details of your life. He has made great plans for you. There will be struggles but He will see you through because you are an overcomer. God has your future, our future, in His hands. Our job is to walk by faith and trust Him.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
By Ed Traut
Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Prayer: How I praise Your name today Lord for how You have made all things beautiful, even through the trials and difficulties You always come through and do things beautifully. You are a wonderful God and a wonderful Savior and I am so grateful to be Your child. Amen.
Ed Traut
Prophetic Life
By David Freeze
Catching up and details for a busy fall!
I recounted all the duties of a good race director last week, and there are many. What I failed to mention is another list of things that must get done following the actual race. Here are most of those things but probably not all.
Final payments from sponsors must be collected, and bills for shirts, awards, any food bought for refreshments and additional things like the sound system, photographer and porta johns must be paid. All the volunteers, including fire and police, will get shirts as do most of the sponsors. Results and photos have to be posted, and sometimes a finish line video. Lots of thank you notes must be written.
And as soon as all of that is done, initial thoughts of date, location and race headquarters need to be arranged and booked for next year. What worked and what didn’t will make for immediate discussion.
Notable last week was the Run for the Word 5K and Fun Run in Landis. 20-year-old James Anderson from Landis won the 5K race in 17:56. Anderson is the regular winner of this race, but most notable was the effort of Grace McDaniel who ran 20:25 and topped the women. Her time is fantastic but is especially notable since she is an 8th grader at China Grove Middle. Grace is 13, making her one of the youngest females to ever run this fast on an accurately measured course in Rowan County. The race itself drew over 200 participants for the first time in an effort to fund Bible teachers for South Rowan area schools. Donations can still be made by calling race director Lynn Furr at 704-724-2819.
This month’s racing will be completed with the Sisters in the Fight 5K at Overton Elementary School on September 26th. The course uses a portion of Salisbury Greenway and is open to all ages and abilities. The mission of Sisters in the Fight is to support women by educating them on early detection and offering essential resources for those diagnosed with breast cancer, heart disease, and who are facing domestic violence. We offer help with transportation, household tasks, meals, childcare, and medical costs, support groups for women and children affected by trauma, financial aid for children experiencing trauma, life coaching for overall well-being and social groups for healing and support. All proceeds from the race will help us expand our services and support that impact the lives of women, children, and families in need, as well as help promote community awareness.
On October 3rd, we have the new Faith in Motion Liberty 5K and Fun Run near Morgan School. The next weekend, we cross the county to go west to Back Creek Presbyterian Church for the Harvest Run 5K and Fun Run, with pancakes afterwards. Then. October 17th is the only “Do the Double” day of the year with two races, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. The Run to the River 5K and Fun starts the day in Spencer and Fall Crawl 5K and Fun Run is that afternoon near Landis.
Next up is the Saturday/Sunday race duo that have been with us a long time. First on Saturday is the St. Matthews 5K and Fun Run at St. Matthews Church, then the scene shifts to Catawba College for the oldest of any of these races, the Spooky Sprint 5K and Fun Run.
Some of the best energy and pure racing happens at the local middle school cross country meets. Just ahead are several meets for Erwin Middle School at the East Rowan YMCA on September 24th, October 1st and October 6th. Salisbury Academy has their home meet, a big one, on Tuesday, September 22nd China Grove Middle School has one more meet remaining on October 1st. All of these meets welcome spectators and the coming cool weather with less humidity will enhance performances.
Look for more details on all of these races and the results at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org
I shared the message with our church recently because our Pastor had some surgery. I taught about our church being a family. Come join the family of God! Enjoy!!!!
By Lynna Clark
My kids seldom ask for anything. It’s true. Our three grown daughters with children of their own seem very content with the life they live. It’s hard to get them to share a Christmas list. So they end up getting bedroom shoes or something exciting like that. Our middle daughter Amanda is much like me in that she cannot eat whatever she wants all willy-nilly. Both of us are fearfully and wonderfully made; actually more fearful than wonderful. So when she had a special request for her birthday I determined to grant her wish.
I had no idea she’d request a gluten-free cheesecake. She could compromise on the dairy and the sugar since it would be her birthday dessert. But what could I do for the crust? Besides, I’ve never made a good cheesecake in my life. My first attempt was lovingly dubbed the Chainsaw Cheesecake. It was not delicious. But it was memorable.
A later attempt was made when my sister Tamra gave me her recipe. It came out beautiful… until I removed the spring form pan. That thing ran right down the side of the counter into a puddle on the floor. I think I may have shed a few tears. The details are a bit fuzzy. It was not delightful.
This time David and I put our heads together and gave it another shot. For the crust we used toasted pecans and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Then using recipes from my sister and my niece Sara we gleaned enough to try again.
It turned out perfect!
However! Here are a few tricks that seemed to make a difference between this cheesecake and the others.
What? You mean you’ve never prayed over a dessert before? Me neither! Maybe that’s why this one finally turned out. Here’s the recipe. You’re also going to want to top this with homemade caramel sauce.
And we wonder why we waddle.
Crust:
Toast about 2 cups of pecans in a little butter in a skillet; salt very lightly; chop then add to bottom of greased 8 inch spring form pan; Top with semi-sweet morsels; bake at 400 for 10 minutes; cool 20
Cheesecake: Preheat oven to 400; reduce to 300 when cheesecake is put into oven
Cream together:
Smooth batter over cooled crust; bake one hour; turn oven off but don’t open; let cheesecake rest in oven overnight
Okay, so I peeked at it a few hours later once the oven had cooled. But I didn’t move it… honest.
Caramel sauce: [From the Pioneer Woman]
In a saucepan on medium heat melt and stir together
Stir until smooth; cook 2 minutes after it starts to bubble; whisk until smooth; cool before tasting or you will scorch the roof of your mouth; don’t ask me how I know.
David also made homemade whipped topping from heavy whipping cream… because obviously this dessert needed more yumminess. It was a little bit decadent.
May your dessert turn out lovely! May your birthday wishes come true! And may you never have to cut your cheesecake with a chainsaw.
Have you ever been told you can’t… you won’t… that is not possible for you… There are so many careless words spoken in life. We have a choice we can come into agreement with those words or we can choose a different path. Watch and see what I mean…
Max Lucado explores one of the greatest fears of all…what if there is no God? Yikes! Better listen to this one!