Autumn Resurrection

by   September 27, 2026 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

While many proclaim the joys of autumn, for others, the fall brings a sense of dread of living through dark, cold isolation. I can recall dreading the season when I lived in a house with fewer windows than I have now, feeling suffocated by the lack of light. 

While reading through the Gospel of John with our church in both large gatherings and small groups recently, I came to a scene of such darkness and hopelessness. I wonder if you can relate. 

It had been dark – not just that early morning, not just at midday a couple of days before – but in the atmosphere of the brothers, those who had followed closely. Though Jesus communicated that He would not be the political messiah or social justice warrior their people longed for to ease their pain, they still hoped there would be more. Mary Magdalene had also followed closely, watching the One who had forgiven her, radically changed her, and truly loved her give sight to the blind, heal the sick, and even raise the dead. Perhaps she had also hoped with wonder at this strange idea of a “the kingdom.” But no, all that was gone – brutally killed and buried. 

Wrecked with grief, she does the one thing she can to continue serving Jesus, going through the motions of ministering to Him, even if it were an empty charade now. It was still dark – at the tomb and in her spirit – but surely it could not get worse. Wait! The immovable rock sealing the tomb has been moved. Had someone arrived before her, stepping into the cherished role of caring for His body? NO! His body is missing! She runs to the disciples, hoping they can help her make sense of this tragedy upon a tragedy. As two of them have their own experience at the tomb, Mary is still perplexed, unable to understand it all now. Absorbed in tears that further cloud her mind and vision, she sits outside the grave, squinting to see men in white sitting in the tomb. One asks why she weeps. Choking down tears as she tries to call out His name, she can only say that she does not know who has taken her Lord and where they have laid Him. 

Then, another man, coming out from among the flowers, asks why the tears and for whom she is looking. Again, she pleads for answers so she can serve, the one thing that can bring her joy at this point. Then, with clarity, this gardener, this tender of the soil and growing, living things, says one simple word – “Mary.” The name was common enough during that time, but the One speaking it makes the difference. She knows that voice and realizes the speaker knows her. He is not dead! Hope is not lost! The darkest night and morning are over! Though gentle and lowly in heart, He is the mighty conquering victor over death and the grave! 

Things are very different now. No longer needlessly going through the motions of service, she can serve joyfully at promises fulfilled, hope and peace being present in a Person. 

It may seem odd to write about the resurrection in autumn. But in a season marked with things fading and a future glimpse of the coming season marked by little to no life, you may be painfully reminded of a personal season marked with much darkness, sadness, and loneliness. Your judgment is off. You want to believe what you know is true, but so much in your face screams otherwise. Tears are not cleansing – they are clouding. Take heart – the Lord sees and is not far off. Cry out those tears of honesty and frustration! He hears. He will call your name soon. Continue to serve. It may seem routine, but it is the best thing you can do now. Recall God’s past faithfulness to His promises.

However, remember the only way to recall what is true is to abide in the truth. God’s Word is that unchanging, life-giving Truth. 

Ashlie Miller is wife to Chad (a pastor in Charlotte) and homeschooling mom to five children in Concord, NC. You may contact her at ashliemiller.com. 

We are a Family

by   September 26, 2026 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

We Are a Family

            How do you think about the people you attend church with every Sunday? Are they friends? Acquaintances? Are they people you can lean on in a crisis? Are they people you see only once a week? Do you know them and do they know you? That is a lot of questions and things to consider about the people we see at church each week.

            The Bible calls a church a number of things. It’s called a light on a hill. We should be a beacon of hope to the lost in our communities. We are known as the bride of Christ. That reveals the depth of His love for us and the fact that He can’t wait to bring us home. We are also called the body of Christ. While we are many members, we each have a role and responsibility within our churches to fulfill to make our body work.

            When I think about my church, I like to think of us as a family. I don’t know about your family, but most families have members who have been through some tough times. Some have brought life’s troubles on by their own choices; others have experienced tragedies and are struggling to deal with life. No matter what happens in life, we are still family.

            I was thinking about Jesus’ family, especially His family tree. There are quite a few interesting people in His family background. The most prominent is King David. The Bible calls David a man after God’s heart. But David did not have a stellar character. We all know that David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed to hide it. We have all read the story of Ruth and Naomi. Ruth was not Jewish and yet she is in Jesus’ genealogy. Who could forget the story of Rahab the prostitute who helped to save the spies? Did you know that she is in Jesus’ genealogy?

            The disciples were not perfect either. James and John were known as the “Sons of Thunder” because they wanted to call down fire upon the Samaritans because they didn’t welcome them into their town. Matthew was a tax collector. Most tax collectors notoriously overcharged people and pocketed the extra money. Thomas doubted the resurrection and Judas betrayed Jesus. These men were Jesus’ disciples.

            We all fall short in many ways and need the love and mercy of God. If Jesus can make room for us in the family of God shouldn’t we all make room for others? I believe God wants to reach out to our neighbors and friends through us. He wants us to be lights in our communities to help show people the way to God.

            God’s heart is for every person to find and build a relationship with Him. When we join God’s family we aren’t called to sit in the stands and watch others work. We are called to bring our talents, gifts, and abilities and use them in our church family. There are many spiritual gifts that God gives the church to help members grow and mature in their faith, and I believe we each have some that God wants us to use. We all play a vital part in our church families.

            I did not get the gift of a musical voice. Nobody should have to suffer through listening to me sing, even though God loves to hear me. But I do have the gift to teach and I use it in my church to teach the children and the adult Sunday school class. If you read my columns you know that I have the gift of encouragement and we can all use some encouragement at times. I believe God has given you talents, gifts, and abilities. He wants you to be use them to help make your church family better and stronger.

            I want to encourage you to find your place in the family of God. God has given you special abilities that your church needs. Some are visible, like mine when I teach Sunday school. Others are behind the scenes, like the people who mow the grass or do the accounting. It may not be visible to others but their role is vital to the success of that church family. The person singing in the choir is just as important as those who serve in the nursery. We all have roles to play and things we can do to help make our church a warm and welcoming place to those who are lost and looking for a savior. Find your place. Do your thing. You are an important part of your church family!

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

Blooms From the Old

by   September 25, 2026 with No Comments

(for Gail who asked how we are)

By Roger Barbee

Several flowering plants form new blooms from the dead wood of a previous season’s cycle. Next to our screened-in porch is one such plant—a dwarf, lime hydrangea which we planted two years ago. Since I have yet to move my stationary bike out to the elements and continue to ride in the dry of the porch, I have been watching this shrub for several weeks and it has, like all plants, taught me a lesson.

Although the browned and dead flowers from last summer are not attractive, Mary Ann prefers to leave them attached to the stems even though they could be snipped off. Thus, as I have been riding each morning, I sort of wished that she had removed the unsightly, spent blooms. However, I now understand that her decision has helped me see the cycle of nature.

The lime hydrangea does what it is designed to do. It grows by feeding from the past cycles of its life. As I look each morning at the brown and dead blooms, I also can see small, green leaves emerging on the stems that hold those dead blooms. Soon those small green leaves will be in full splendor and new, deliciously lime colored blooms will emerge. The old will be gone, and the new celebrated. Soon.

Living under self-quarantine because of the COVID-19 virus, I think of the lime hydrangea and it’s gaining the new from the old. So often in our belief that we, mere humans, are in control because of our 401k’s, our superhighways with fast cars, our 10,000 square foot houses, and more, we lose our way. We lose sight of how frail we really are- think of the TB sanitariums of the 1930’s, and other examples besides this virus which is just beginning for us.

Yet if we accept the fact that we need to come together and “be our brother’s keeper”, we will continue.  Like the simple plant that makes new by using all its parts and history, we need to band, to do what is best for the tribe, not any individual. This is not the time to think individually, but the time to think together. And when we think of the tribe, we each will give up some things or many things. So be it. To bloom again. Gloriously.

What does a Race Director do?

by   September 24, 2026 with No Comments

By David Freeze

What does a race director do and how to be a good one?

  In Rowan County, we have 32 races scheduled for this year and add to that a bunch of middle school and high school cross country races too. All of these must have someone who organizes them and is the final decision maker. I spent the late morning on Wednesday measuring and marking the 5K course for Saturday’s Run for the Word 5K and Fun Run, all held to help fund the South Rowan area Bible teachers. Lynn Furr is one of those good race directors, and she went along to make sure the course was right.

    Race directors have a long list of things to do, in fact SRR shares a couple lists of to- do guidelines. Race planning usually starts 4-5 months ahead of the event. The first things done are to name the race, set a date, secure a course and start finding major sponsors. Hopefully the aspiring race director has plenty of help in the first year, especially when all of these things are new. If the race has been held before, most of these major tasks are ready to go, especially if the race met participant and proceed expectations during the previous year.

     Then comes the second round of tasks which include getting the basic race information out by posting to runsignup.com, the major race registration vehicle currently available. As the second tier of sponsors are secured, they are added on all registration websites and social media. At this point, social media becomes a big place to share what is unique about the event. Shirt colors are chosen, and shirt size amounts are ordered. Awards are ordered and made. A printer for the shirts is secured and will wait for artwork and graphics which are also underway at this time. Race logo and date go on the front, and sponsors on the back, but the shirt is not printed usually until about a week before the race date.

    Then it is time to start on the third tier of to-do’s. Tentative plans then become real with police and fire departments and a slew of volunteers who work the course on race day. At that point, volunteers to work registration, finish line, pick up refreshments and other day of event duties are secured and assigned. Porta johns arrive. Race bibs are prepared the night before, shirts are divided by size and last-minute contacts with police or fire take place, and race day is ready to go.

    On race day, registration starts things rolling early while the course is set up. Participants and volunteers arrive and action ramps up. Good race directors either manage or delegate pre-race activities like the National Anthem and prayer. The race absolutely must start on time after participant instructions. When it does, the scene shifts to the finish line. Runners and then the walkers finish, awards and door prizes are given way. Then breaking down and packing up completes the event.

     A good race director doesn’t do all these things, but he or she makes sure they get done. It is truly a load of work that for most races lasts about four months, building in intensity to race day. In fact, most good race directors celebrate with a good afternoon nap.

     A successful race director is personable and people like working for and with them. This person can handle multiple talks and incoming details that make each day faster until race day is done. They manage time well too and prioritize with the best. And finally, they take the time to improve their practices, often by learning from other races and experienced race directors,

     Speaking of race directors, Tab McAllister manages the Sisters in the Fight 5K and Fun Run, set for 8:45am at Overton Elementary School on September 26th. McAllister says, “All 5K proceeds will directly impact local families in crisis.  Every step you take, and every dollar raised will help us provide food, clothing, household essentials, emergency support, and help supplement the cost of medication for those battling cancer and heart disease. Together, we can ensure that no woman or child faces their vulnerable moments alone.  Every step makes a difference!”

     SRR’s Beginning Runners Class is off to a great start, and participants can still join on Tuesday. Look for these and other upcoming events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Gotta’ Run: What does a race director do and how to be a good one?

Falling Down Drunk

by   September 23, 2026 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

Have you ever been so embarrassed that you wanted to crawl under a table and hide? Like the time when I was a young mother and my skirt fell off at homecoming. We’re talking church gym full of covered dishes and gloriously sanctified saints. This was in the eighties so picture a cute little yellow wrap around number that tied on the side. My darling middle child, who was about five at the time, poked a hole in the bottom of her Styrofoam cup with her pointy little finger. Red punch poured freely onto those nearby while she examined her homemade fountain with wonder. Being a young nimble woman, I jumped into action. Unbeknownst to me the knotted end of my skirt tie was caught in the foldy part of the metal chair where I was perched. In one fell swoop my skirt was left behind as I bounded toward the buffet line for napkins. Praise God for petticoats.

Fast forward to 2019.

We’ve been dealing with a health issue for quite a while. I say “we” because David, my better half for 45 years has journeyed with me through all kinds of treatments. A few weeks ago the pain increased to the point that we decided to consult our family physician. I’ve been through so many tests and “cures” down through the years, that frankly even though I love my new doctor and have the utmost respect for her, I’ve never actually talked with her about this mystery. I decided it was time.

Together we chose a medication that might relieve some of the pain. By the second week in, I could barely toddle without help. Thank the good Lord I haven’t had to be in a hurry to fetch napkins. Annyyywayyy…

At my urging, David took me to a baby shower. Since I really wanted to see our nieces and nephews and all the new babies they’re having, I assured him I’d be fine. We parked close to the door but as he helped me inside, the August heat hit full force. I stumbled and could not tell which way was up. I’ve never been so drunk in all my life. Suddenly I felt very old and feeble. It was even more embarrassing than losing my skirt at church. Later one of my sweet nieces asked if I’d like to hold her baby. I shook my head no then mumbled something about being on drugs. Seems like I laughed quite a bit longer than I should have. Thankfully though, I still had all my clothes on.

When we left, David led me to the car. I stumbled again and hung onto him for dear life. Bless his sweet heart. Like the gentleman he is, he took the drunk girl home. I settled into my recliner and had a good cry. A short while later his sister Gail sent him a text to check on me. Her kindness reminded me of several things.

We all go through embarrassment. Some events are still funny forty years later while others are too fresh to laugh at just yet. AND the people who love us are going to love us no matter what. So since I’m not quite ready to laugh at my current embarrassment, here are two quotes found on Facebook lately that relate.

One: “I can talk an awful lot of smack for someone who tips over when putting on their underwear. Two: “People who are chronically ill are not pretending to be sick. They are pretending to be well.”

By the way, I called a nurse to ask for advice. She was very kind and suggested three things.

One: Stay cool. Two: Move slowly. Three: Call her back if I pass out.

First of all, this is the August from Sheol if I’m not mistaken. Second, I can’t move any slower. I’m already in sloth mode. Third, if I pass out, surely someone else will call 911.

Update:

One month later it’s still hot. But thankfully I was weaned off the extra meds and got the bulk of my balance back. So if you were one of the many people who gave me grace during the questionable times, I love you. And someday if you find yourself staggering, I promise to give you the benefit of the doubt.

It’s just no fun falling down drunk without a party.

September Sniffles

by   September 20, 2026 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

While my family eagerly awaits the cooler temperatures of fall and a slew of birthdays within several weeks of each other, one menacing bully lurking around the third week of September makes them shudder. Each year, this culprit subtly claims his territory, often shifting the blame to a fairly innocent bystander – ragweed, often confused with goldenrod.

Unlike the carpet of spring pollen, ragweed takes a more subtle approach, yet hits with intensity as it floats through the air and wrecks those it encounters. Naively, many leave windows open to welcome crisp morning breezes, and that is precisely when ragweed strikes. Symptoms pop up overnight without warning, but we know the pollen must have been waiting in the wings because it suddenly affects us.

I recently had conversations with young adults, asking them about spirituality and their beliefs about things beyond what they can see. As staunch materialists, they cannot fathom believing in something they cannot feel and measure. It could be easy to judge people with those beliefs, but I could also look at myself and wonder how often I don’t believe God is at work in my life or in the world when His work is not immediately visible to me.

Because I keep track of the supplements and medications we have needed from year to year, I try to prepare my family by having supplements and other care items on hand ahead of time. I encourage them to take specific supplements to get ahead of the issue. Some listen, and others take a little more risk. It is important to care for ourselves now, before the things we anticipate arrive.

The same is true of our spiritual lives. How many times do we wait until we are spiritually depleted before we call out to God? We often do not think to ask God for wisdom until we are overwhelmed by decisions. Do we wait until we are hurting and needy before we open a Bible or attend church? Do we see the gifts of prayer, scripture, and church as only for emergencies and when our life is falling apart? It does not have to be, nor should it be that way.

Despite our best efforts to keep doors and windows closed, change our clothes (sometimes multiple times) throughout the day, or shower at the end of the day, we cannot fully control or prevent the impact of the tiny pollen that invades our air. We still have to live our lives. We want to enjoy the fire pit in the backyard, outdoor playdates with friends, and jumping in piles of leaves. We just have to be smart about it.

The same is true of the environment and culture that surrounds us. Although many messages are loud and obvious enough to avoid, others subtly creep in to distract us and bring fear, unwanted opinions, damaging messages, and values inconsistent with ours. If we are not careful, we end up breathing in these seemingly insignificant influences which can eventually take over our lives. While we still cannot control the environment or even isolate ourselves from it, we can insulate ourselves against it.

Allergy season is upon us, whether you anticipated it like my family or whether it seems like an annual surprise. We know it is here by what we experience and how it affects us. We can prepare ahead of time if we take the time to notice the effects of subtle messages trying to invade our spirits. We do not have to be caught by surprise or poorly prepared. We can still live and move in the world without being overtaken by it, but we have to abide in the truth of Scripture, prayer, and godly fellowship. How are you preparing now for what lies ahead in your life?

Maintaining the Temple

by   September 19, 2026 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Maintaining the Temple

            It’s hard work to maintain our homes. They need repairs and updating. Time takes a toll on our homes and styles change. Regular cleaning takes time and energy. There are weekly chores and seasonal chores that require us to work around the house.

            Our physical bodies need maintaining as well. Some people love to work out and maintain their physique. I am not one of them. I do enjoy walking in my community and I like working in my yard. I am not interested in going to the gym or even working out on my own. I do try to take care of myself, just not by going to the gym.

            I fell a couple of years ago and have had back problems off and on since the fall. I have been fortunate that a massage therapist could help me when things were hurting. She recently told me that I really needed to get some physical therapy to help fix the root problem. My doctor made a recommendation, and against my wishes I had to start doing some physical therapy.      I found out after a couple sessions that my physical therapist is a doctor. I was her first patient to evaluate after being hired. She had just graduated and this is her first full-time job. She evaluated me and found that the muscles in my back were all tight. The exercises she has me doing are designed to stretch those tight muscles out and to strengthen my core muscles.

            She will demonstrate what she wants me to do. For some of the exercises I find them challenging and she has to help me keep my body in the right position to benefit. For other exercises I tell her that she has a twenty-something body and I have a sixty-something body that will not do what she just demonstrated. We both laugh and then she makes me do it. She has a great sense of humor and I attempt to keep us both laughing while I am there. I give her fake complaints and she tells me I can do it, which I do. She tells me that my joking around makes the time pass quickly.

            One day she had me sit in a chair and “try” to touch my toes. I tried but I couldn’t reach them. She sat beside me and easily touched her toes. I teased her that I probably could have done it when I was her age. Then a woman clearly older than me was asked to do the same thing and she also easily touched her toes, which had everyone laughing. The best laugh I got out of her was when I “complained” that she was trying to give me six pack abs.

            Like any good teacher, she gives me homework. She explained early on that I would have to do exercises at home if I wanted to make progress. The homework was challenging at first, but things have gotten easier as I continue to work at them.

            While we both like to laugh while I am there, I really appreciate her desire to help me eliminate the pain. The pain will not go away on its own. These same principles apply to our spiritual lives. We aren’t going to grow and maintain our spiritual lives if we don’t put any effort into it. Spiritual growth requires the hard work of self-discipline, dedication to reading the Bible and prayer, connecting with others in fellowship, persevering through the hard times, and building a more intimate connection with God.

            Maintaining our spiritual lives takes time and effort. The rewards are incredible because the God who made the entire universe wants to know you and to be known by you. He wants you to discover more about Him. He wants to guide you through the ups and downs in life. He wants to bring comfort and healing to the brokenness in your life. He wants to deepen your understanding that His ways, which are not your ways, are best.

            I want to encourage you to take the steps necessary to grow and maintain your spiritual temple. Connect with God because He deeply desires to connect with you. Read the Bible, starting in the New Testament, where you can discover more about Jesus. Pray and talk with God. Attend church where you can connect with others who are on the same journey as you. It will require some effort on your part, but the benefits will last you for all eternity.

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

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