Just Fix It

by   July 23, 2022 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I am not good at fixing plumbing problems. I have fixed leaky faucets, changed shower heads, and repaired toilets many times. Those are relatively minor repairs. Some of those repairs might result in a little cup to catch the drip, but the drip will normally stop after a few days.

            We have a bathtub in our master bathroom. We both take showers. So when the faucet got stuck in the shower position I didn’t see any problem. It works well and neither of us takes baths. My wife mentioned the other day that maybe she might like to take a bath, but since it didn’t work, she couldn’t.

            I decided to check on the situation. There is a push pin diverter that makes the water go up to the shower, and it was stuck in the shower position. All it probably needs is a little tug to change it back for bathing. When I gave the pin a tug it popped out. Problem solved, right? Wrong! Now water flowed in three directions: up to the shower head, down to the tub, and out the pin hole…all at the same time. I pushed the pin back in and it didn’t stick. The new water flow pattern wasn’t going to work.

            I thought about calling my brother, who can fix anything. My brother figures out how to fix things by asking his phone and then watching YouTube videos. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I used my computer and asked Google. I looked through my options and found a guy who had a shower setup just like ours. His video was about three minutes long. It couldn’t be that easy, could it?

            The video showed removing three screws, removing the broken diverter, inserting the new one, putting the three screws back in, and turning on the water. I followed the directions. I had it repaired quicker than it took me to gather the tools for the job. Now we can choose what we want a shower or a bath. My wife says it is nice to have the choice.

            I still can’t believe that I fixed something so quickly. I wish I could apply the same principles to my spiritual life with the same success. Fixing ourselves spiritually is challenging, and maybe impossible, without God’s help. Some things in life we can fix if we work hard at it.

            If your doctor tells you that you need to exercise and lose weight, then that becomes a matter of choice on your part. You can choose to listen and work on taking off some weight. You can choose to exercise or not. If you choose to listen and work on it, you can change your lifestyle and improve your health and well-being. 

            I believe that spiritual fixes require the power of the Holy Spirit. Our flesh does not want to cooperate with the Spirit. We struggle and resist God’s leading in our lives. Sometimes we think we know what is best, until we make a huge mess of life. Then we turn to God and expect instant results after failing to listen.

            Romans chapter 7 paints a picture of the mess we make with our lives. Paul writes that he keeps doing the things he hates, and doesn’t do the things God wants him to do. Then you read chapter 8, which tells us that God does not condemn us for our failure because He knows we are sinful and live in a broken world. He asks that we turn to Jesus and cooperate with the Spirit. The Bible is clear that I cannot earn my way to heaven, but I can accept the free gift of God through Jesus His Son. God gives us forgiveness, peace, and hope, in one simple breath.

            The truth is I can’t fix me. I only create a big mess. But with God’s help my life can be completely different and I can make a difference in the world. We have to work with God and allow His Spirit to work in and through us. When I allow Jesus to live in me, amazing things can happen.

            I want to encourage you to stop trying to fix yourself all by yourself. Invite God into your life and allow Him to work with you, to help you make the changes in you. Your spirit will feel refreshed, your heart will experience the forgiveness of God, your mind will experience a peace that goes beyond understanding, and you will be assured of your eternal destination. There is nothing greater than accepting Jesus and knowing the Creator as your Father and Friend.  

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

Danny’s Letter

by   July 22, 2022 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

Some years ago the high school wrestling team I was part of wanted to honor our coach, Bob Mauldin. With the help of his wife Donna and our spouses, we planned a surprise tribute for him, and about 80 old wrestlers and spouses attended. It was a success, and our beloved Coach was surprised—at being the main guest and by words admirable spoken about him after supper.

The spoken tributes for Coach Mauldin varied-some serious, others full of humor, but all centered on our coach and how he had influenced our lives as boys then later as men. But one talk stands out, and when I received word yesterday that Danny had died after battling cancer, I thought of him and what he said and did that night.

Mementos are usually privately kept, stored away for reasons known only to the person placing the small item away in a secret place. Even if the memento is a flower or clover leaf placed between the pages of a book, it serves a role in someone’s life. As J. L. Carr observes in his novel of memory and lost love, A Month in the Country, someone in years hence may purchase a book at a sale and later find a dried Sara van Fleet rose carefully placed between two pages. But no wonder, most folks put seemingly insignificant things in private places as reminders of someone or a time or both which was special but is now past.  But the memory of the importance signified by the memento lives as long as the memorizer.

As I recall, Danny was the  last speaker at Coach’s tribute. Watching him walk to the microphone, I noticed that he was still rather small, like the wiry wrestler he was those years ago.

He then shared how when he was a soldier serving in Vietnam he received a letter from Coach. Danny did not share with us the contents of his letter, but he did explain the importance of Coach’s words to him, a young man far away fighting in a brutal war. Coach’s words were a salve to his soul Danny said, and with that Danny reached into his hip pocket, pulled out the letter, and then thanked Coach for writing him and said something like, “It’s your letter, Coach, and now I give it back to you.”

            Most mementos are private, but at Coach’s dinner we all were witnesses to a memento of one of us, shared publicly, who is now dead as is the writer of the letter. While we do not know the contents of the letter, we were given the privilege of acknowledging a gift to one of us from our Coach  Mauldin. The white, small, and crumpled envelope held a message to Danny, one that he had cherished, carried,  and held close for years. His  public sharing of it told much, but most of all it was a witness of what we all do—hold seemingly insignificant things like cloverleafs or flowers dear to our selves. Danny shared his beloved memento of Coach with us.

            I think Danny saw his talk as a thank you to Coach, which it was, but it  also spoke of holding close what is dear, no matter from whom or from what circumstance–even if only a Sara van Fleet rose between the pages of a book.

Insurmountable Odds

by   July 19, 2022 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

Insurmountable odds? Improbable victory? Giant problems?

In 1 Samuel 17, the Philistines — better known as the giants — stood on a mountain on one side. Israel stood on a mountain on the other side. There was a valley between them. As was the custom, the strongest from each camp would fight for the victory!

Enter the two main characters: Goliath and David.

Goliath was overconfident and was overtaken!

Goliath was almost 10 feet tall and the strongest of the Philistines. He was called the champion. He wore a brass helmet, brass coat and brass shoulder and leg protection. His staff had a strong spearhead. A shield bearer always went before him into battle. He marched out dressed in full armor for 40 days to intimidate and put fear in the hearts of the Israelites. Guess we could say Goliath thought he was a 40-point favorite! Mr. Goliath thought he was completely covered, but he didn’t have anywhere near the protection David had, because David went in the name of the Lord!

David was overlooked but overtook!

David was not the obvious choice to fight Goliath, because Saul was the tallest of the Israelites. Saul’s response to facing Goliath? Dismay and great fear! So, along comes David. A lowly shepherd. He got up early — not to slay a giant — but to go to the camp to take food to his brothers. He saw Goliath — not as a champion and a giant — but as someone defying God. He knew there was a cause, there was a need to do the right thing, and that the battle was the Lord’s.

He put his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones, put them in his shepherd’s bag and picked up his sling. He said, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”

Then, David didn’t march — he ran toward Goliath — with a sling and a stone. As he ran, he got bolder and the stone became like a boulder! He threw it with such force that it sank right into the uncovered part of Goliath — his forehead! Battle won.

David didn’t need to know Goliath’s strength, because he knew God’s strength. Goliath came with a sword, but David came in the name of the Lord.

Goliath thought he was too big to lose, Saul thought Goliath was too big to fight, but David thought Goliath was too big to miss!

It only took one stone. So, why did he carry five? Goliath had four brothers.

Did David do it or did God do it? Yes!

Insurmountable odds? Yes, we have them. Improbable victory? Go in the name of the Lord.

Giant problems? It only takes one stone.

Wake. Pray. Slay.

Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

Joy Ahead

by   July 18, 2022 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

One of my favorite passages of all times, Nehemiah 8:10-12 says “Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength! And the Levites too, quieted the people telling them, ‘Hush! Don’t weep! For this is a sacred day.’ So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.”

As Soloman says in Ecclesiastes 3, there is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven…. A time to tear down, a time to rebuild; A time to cry and a time to laugh; A time to grieve and a time to dance. Hard junk; Good junk; Sad stuff; Happy stuff; Days to hurt; Days to boogie… Joy is much sweeter AFTER the sorrow.

Some well-meaning Christians have the idea that we are to live in giddy oblivion, somehow mindlessly skipping through trials with a happy face. Could it be that God knows we are living in a real world, with real heartache? Do you imagine that He is aware of how hard life is?

Yesterday, when I was using the verse about calling Him Abba, Father, I went to BibleGateway.com to find the reference. It was interesting to see that Jesus, when praying in the garden, that the cross and all its shame would somehow disappear, called His Father “Abba.” He was as close to Him then as ever. Yet He knew our sin would be laid on His back on the cross. Did He go skipping up Golgotha? Scripture says that as He prayed in the garden, His sweat was like great drops of blood. What anguish of soul He experienced.

Look at Hebrews 12:2 KJV- Speaking of Jesus it says, “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” He DESPISED the shame. However, for the joy to come, He endured the cross. What’s even more incredible is that saving ME is part of the joy to come. Amazing!

Is it God’s will that we always be happy? Sorry. Should we at least pretend? Nope. Here’s the scoop. Life is hard. But God is good. And no matter how heavy the crap storm we are caught in, there is a joy set before us. We may despise the circumstances, but Heaven is waiting. It is THAT joy that is our strength; the wonderful assurance that no matter what we go through here, it is temporary! Are your eyes fixed on Jesus, the One Who has been here and done this? There’s your joy and your strength. You can make it. He will carry you through the nights of weeping and deliver you to a joyous new morning!

Dear Lord today, we ask for joy. We ask for real understanding of what You’ve done for us. We ask that You remind us continually today that You are in charge and nothing enters our lives that You don’t allow. Make us strong for You. Make our church strong enough to share that joy with others. Thank You for Your great sacrifice at Calvary, because You love us that much!

More: Mark 14:36; Hebrews 12:1,2; Psalm 30:5

Change in Life

by   July 16, 2022 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            This morning began on a concerning note. I was driving to work when I saw a car coming from the opposite direction being chased by three police cars. As they zoomed past me all I could do was pray for everyone involved. I hope that no innocent people were hurt and that the situation resolved in a positive way.

            This evening’s garden check also included a disconcerting sight. I discovered a black snake wrapped up in the netting that I have wrapped around my blueberry bushes. He was so tightly wrapped that I thought he was already gone. As I started to cut away the mesh he started to move. I worked for a while to free the snake but he got anxious and kept opening his mouth towards me. I didn’t want to get bit in the process of setting him free, but eventually I was able to cut the netting away and free the snake.

            These two events reminded me of a discussion I had this week about writing. A group of us were talking about how authors get ideas for their stories. I said that authors choose topics or themes about which they are passionate. Some of the themes we discussed were love, coming of age, growing older, overcoming, revenge, good versus evil, and addiction.

            The topic of addiction struck a chord with several in the group. One individual shared how an addiction had destroyed the marriage of a co-worker. He went on to share that when the person finally got help for his addiction he was able to turn his life around.

            Another woman shared how she had gotten free from addiction through faith in Jesus. She struggled to understand why others she knew did not want to be freed from the same addiction in their lives. Despite numerous attempts to share her story, they continue on in their addiction. “Why don’t they follow the same path I found?”

            Several in the group tried to explain to her that the nature of addiction keeps people trapped, even when they can see a path out. One person put it best, “people will remain trapped in addiction until they finally decide that they want to be free.” She kept asking us, how can she help these people? We told her that prayer was her best and most powerful tool. We all also encouraged her to never give up on her friends. We told her to keep encouraging them, praying and hoping that they would take the path to their freedom. 

            One individual concluded that we are all weak and broken in different ways. We each have a need for our Savior’s help to change and overcome the struggles that we face. Your struggles are real to you and my struggles are real to me. We all want to live right for God, but we have to learn to let Him help us.

            The Bible tells us that none of us are righteous or always make the right choices. Thankfully, the book of Romans teaches us that while none of us is good enough to earn God’s favor, God in His mercy and love made a way for us to be right with Him. When we invite Jesus to be our Savior, He comes to live inside us. It’s Him living inside of me that makes me right with God. The Bible makes it clear that there is nothing I can do. It is the free gift of God to all who will open their hearts to receive it.

            The only hope I have to change is inviting Jesus to live inside me. He will help me change, making me righteous in the process. Anything I might try to do in my own strength counts as nothing. I have to learn to work with Jesus if I hope to bring lasting change and eternal rewards. If I ever hope to live a better life I have to live by faith in Christ and what He does in and through me.

            I want to encourage you to invite Jesus to live in you and to work through you. Real change in your life comes when you allow Christ to work out your salvation in and through you. Knowing you don’t have to do it on your own ought to give you courage to press through the challenges. He wants the best for you and will work in you if you invite Him in. Open the door of your heart to Him and watch what He can do as you cooperate with Him.

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

Congratulations for not Robbing Banks

by   July 15, 2022 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

In the first round of the 1925 U.S. Open of golf, Bob Jones prepared to hit a wedge shot out of the 11th hole rough. He inadvertently touched his ball with the wedge, causing it to move slightly. He penalized himself one stroke. The officials could not verify that the ball had moved, so they left the one-stroke penalty assessment up to Jones, who was adamant that his ball moved. A one-stroke penalty that no one, but Jones, had witnessed. After regulation play Jones was tied with Willie Macfarlane, and he lost the 18-hole playoff to him. When folks congratulated Jones on his honesty he replied, “You might as well congratulate me for not robbing a bank.”

In today’s climate, I think of Jones often because I read or hear of so many people wanting to glorify a person for doing his or her job, to perform the job as is in the job description. No person should be given extra applause for doing what is required or needed. That is why he or she is there in the position—to perform by overcoming obstacles and difficulties encountered in doing the prescribed work,

As a wrestling coach, I reminded my charges that iron sharpens iron, a paraphrase of Proverbs 27:17. Those three words were printed on the back of our team tee-shirts. The wrestlers understood that the best way to help a teammate become a better person and wrestler was to be a hard surface on which to sharpen. In so doing, both became better.

All cultures need heroes, folks to admire for their integrity and courage and grit. However, let’s not set the bar too low. After all, if we do we might as well congratulate someone for not robbing a bank.

Looking Ahead….

by   July 12, 2022 with No Comments

By David Freeze

January 2022 had many local runners hoping for a return to normal with local racing and running events. They were tired of COVID restrictions and ready to test themselves. January to the end of June filled most expectations. The Resolution 5K and the 39th Annual Winter Flight had solid attendance. Many race directors and organizations watched to see how the first races would go. Most of the regular spring races returned with decent attendance on average.

On Thursday, I realized that two things were happening. After six months, I hadn’t missed a day of pushups nor had any expected races been canceled. Both were significant. I hadn’t done six months of pushups ever and so many races were cancelled in the last two years that often we didn’t know for sure even up to the last minute if they would happen.

July through December looks strong this year, with most of the reliable events returning and at least three exciting new races in the works. Saturday’s Missions 5K in Faith was first in line. Never a big race, but one of the best planned, this event was one of the first events for the Faith Fourth of July.

Next up on July 16 is the Run for the Greenway 5K at Knox Middle School. This is one of the oldest races in Salisbury and rumored to have one of the best post-race refreshment spreads too.

August will have a Prediction Run 5K on Aug. 13 at City Park. The concept is as follows. Each runner predicts the time that they can run a 5K (3.1 miles) and then they have to try to match that time without carrying a watch or phone, or any other way to track time. The closest to the runner or walker’s prediction is the winner, regardless of pace, age or gender.

September has all three of the new and exciting races and the first one kicks off things on Sept. 3. Livingstone College has a brand new football field and track, where the Blue Bear Labor of Love 5K will finish. Sept. 3 is also gameday for the first Catawba College/Livingstone College football game in a while and all participants get a ticket to the game that evening.

The Run for the Word 5K is next on Sept. 10 in Landis, the first race there in a few years. The race is hosted by Trinity Lutheran Church and sponsored by Merrill Family Dentistry, with all proceeds going to pay for the Bible teachers in the South Rowan area schools. This is hands-down the fastest 5K course locally at present.

And the newest and just now in the works is the Run to the River 5K, hosted by Spencer and Rowan Moves. A bicycle ride and kayak event on the Yadkin are also part of a busy afternoon on Sept. 24. The 5K will start near the fire department and will finish at the Yadkin with the post-race activities held there.

The busiest month is October with four races. The Salisbury PD’s Foot Pursuit 5K shifts to Oct. 1. Not technically in Rowan, but close to many hearts here is the T-Man’s 5K in Mooresville on Oct. 8. The Halloween duo of the St. Matthews 5K on Oct. 29 and the Spooky Sprint on Oct. 30 are always filled with fun and costumes.

November has the Clean Water 5K at Grace Lutheran Church on the Nov. 12 and the always popular Butterball 5K at the Forum on Thanksgiving Day as the only races so far. December has the Freeze Your Buns 5K in Spencer on Dec. 3 at Winterfest and Santa’s Run for Hunger 5K on Dec. 10.

All of these events are open to runners and walkers, and most will have a fun run for kids.

Another Beginning Runners Class is set for eight weeks beginning on Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Salisbury PD.

Keep track of all of this at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Have a wonderful Fourth of July!

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