By Deirdre Parker Smith
deirdre.smith@salisburypost.com
David Freeze is nothing if not determined, and persistent.
Since his first long-distance bicycle trip in 2013, he has chased his passion for seeing the 50 states from the seat of one bike or another.
His most recent trek, from Nevada to Alaska, was quite the adventure.
By David Freeze
The most unusual “outrage” came last week over a stationary bicycle commercial. Outrage is one of those words that I hate to hear, especially since it is so overused amid political comments recently. Retiring the word would suit me just fine.
Here’s what happened. I saw the commercial depicting a husband who gave his wife one of the finest stationary bikes available on the market. Peloton is the brand name and that word too made all kinds of media for the next few days. One report said that the video had over 700,000 comments within a few days and the actor playing the dad was often ridiculed. After all, did people forget that he was an actor playing a role?
The thought of a husband giving his wife an exercise bike riled the women of The View and Jenna Bush Hager told Hoda Kotb, “My husband better not ever give me a gift like that!” Another word, sexist, was often used to denigrate the commercial.
Why not give the gift of possibly the best home stationary bike in the world, one that can quickly connect the rider to an online spin cycling class at will? The gift of exercise, not the gift to shame a seemingly normal body size mother as suggested by so many on TV. I polled a few of my exercise clients and some other long time runners and they all agreed. Include me in joining the long list of folks who would love to receive this specific Peloton bike. I have often thought of how cool it would be to have a high quality bike like this upstairs to use whenever I wanted, just as the mom in the commercial could now do. Spin classes are often filled to capacity at local gyms, usually on bikes not as high quality and realistic as this one. One other commercial for a similar bike shows a woman pushing herself hard while watching a winter snowstorm falling outside her window.
Why does this matter so much to me? How could that gift give back many times over to the wife, husband and the rest of his family? Well past my best efforts on the sports fields and the roads of running, I am old enough now to appreciate good health. I remember my own story from years ago of wanting to get healthier with an idea of looking ahead to a long life with my loved ones. I was successful and one of the major tools along the way was a form of cycling, both stationary and road.
As the days of the week went by, the opinion somewhat shifted away from all the “outrage” to one of understanding and support. Here is exactly why I agree with that shift. I have said it often and will continue to say this for the rest of my life. The one single biggest gift we can give to others is the gift of our time. It doesn’t have to cost anything and can take many forms.
As an example, I love it when my daughters come to visit, and we can just talk with no other pressures or expectations. I would rather do that than go out for the nicest meal available or some type of entertainment. And friends too, old and new, I am going to make the gift of time for them just as I hope they will.
Now back to the guy who gave the Peloton bike for Christmas. My first thought when seeing the commercial was that the actor portrayed a young husband who gave a gift from the heart, one that his wife could use at home. Simply in hopes that his wife would enjoy herself and also be around to have lots of time with him and their family. What could be better than that?
By Ann Farabee
Shopping? How did Black Friday go?
Black Friday is the name for the day after Thanksgiving, which is considered the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. It began in 1952 – although the term Black Friday was not used until 1961. It has become the busiest shopping day of the year.
I personally have refused to ‘buy in’ to the belief that Black Friday has the best deals.
Not me. My plan was to shop from home – on Thanksgiving Day – beginning at 3:00. No fighting traffic, no pushing through crowds, no waiting in line, no trying to navigate where to go when.
A cup of coffee, a slice of pecan pie, and my computer from the comfort of home.
I found a deal! 40% off! I knew it! I knew it! Shopping with the crowd on Black Friday was no real advantage – this store had what I needed – why keep looking? I went for it!
I selected needed items. It was taking some time, but it would be worth it! It was only Thanksgiving Day – and much of my shopping would be done! I am a super shopper!
$600 worth later for only $360 – I smugly shut down my computer – and rewarded myself with a turkey sandwich.
I smiled. I had a heads up on the Black Friday shoppers.
But…sigh…. Black Friday morning arrived. I awoke to an email from the same store I had made my purchase from. It now offered not a 40% off, but a 50% off. Mental math informed me that my $600 purchase could have been $300 – not the $360 I had spent.
Too much time had been spent looking for what I thought was the best deal – and it ended up not even being the best deal.
So – hats off to you savvy shoppers out there!
I tried.
However, there is one great deal none of us can afford to pass up!
In case you missed it, here is some info:
DEAL OF THE DAY! IT’S FREE! We do not even have to make the purchase! It has already been made – when Jesus died on the cross for our sins to purchase our salvation!
Don’t know how to locate the deal?
Here is your special access code: John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
As for Black Friday? And the greatest Door Buster?
No sale – or gift of any price – could begin to compare with the gift the world was given on the darkest Black Friday – as Jesus gave His life for our sins.
And three days later, He became the real Door Buster – as He burst forth from the tomb – giving the world the greatest gift ever given – victory over death!
It was – and is – the deal of a lifetime!
Ann is a speaker and teacher. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com
By Doug Creamer
The holiday season is officially upon us. Retailers have been pushing the holiday season for a couple of months, but I always try to hold off until it actually arrives. This year as I drove to my in-law’s for Thanksgiving I noticed that some people had their Christmas decorations up. When I drove down our street coming home from Thanksgiving I noticed almost all our neighbors had Christmas decorations up, both inside and out.
I have to admit that it is hard to sit here and write this column as I want to be outside getting my Christmas decorations up. I am going to have to work on getting some of the leaves up before I put the decorations out. I am excited to get started decorating for Christmas.
At this point, I have already helped decorate two Christmas trees. I helped my brother and sister decorate my mom’s tree, and then while I was home for Thanksgiving helped my in-laws get their tree up and decorated. It’s nice to be able to help family get ready for the holidays.
I like spending time with my family. Both of my parents have birthdays in November so we were able to gather around them and celebrate their special days. We shared meals and lots of laughs. We talked about growing up and the special times we shared as a family. It is good to see and hear how my family members are doing.
We spent Thanksgiving with my in-laws. My father-in-law and I peeled over five pounds of potatoes, and I am not sure how many pounds of sweet potatoes. There were multiple meats to choose from, as well as five different desserts. I ate plenty of great food and got the opportunity to spend some quality time with my wife’s side of the family. I had some very interesting conversations and washed plenty of dishes.
Many people travel long distances to be together for the holidays. We have traveled and we have stayed at home. Both have their perks. In today’s world with blended families, husband’s family here and wife’s family there, it’s almost impossible to be at every family gathering.
I think that it is important to make the effort to be together, but why does it have to be on ONLY one specific day? Can’t we celebrate Christmas anytime we can get the family together in one place at one time? That way there is no rushing and possibly a much more relaxed atmosphere. We can visit and connect without feeling pulled in multiple directions.
I believe it’s important to find a way to be together at some point during the holiday season. With families separated by long distances, it might be physically impossible to make the trip. That’s when we can use the power of our global communication systems to make it possible. Whether it is Facetime or through another virtual app, we can find a way to gather and spend some special moments together.
There is no perfect “Brady” family on earth. We are all imperfect people trying to connect with each other and create memories that will last a lifetime. Some memories are tender and sweet, while others make us laugh until we hurt. We try to put our best foot forward, without tripping over it, and share the love we have for each other. We know the flaws but hope that we can look past them and share the love of the season.
I believe God does that with each of us. We’re not perfect, yet he welcomes us into His family. He knows our weaknesses and flaws, and yet His grace covers over it all. He knows how many times we have doubted and almost given up, yet His love pours out for us. He knows how often we feel inconvenienced by Him, yet He still wants to spend time with us. He pursues us relentlessly because we are His children and He wants to have a relationship with us.
I want to encourage you this holiday season to connect with loved ones. I know it is hard to express your love and appreciation, but take the risk and open your heart. Sometimes it won’t go well, but try. Give your pain to God. God revealed how much He loved us by sending His Son to be born in a manger, yet destined to die on a cross. He still loves us no matter what we have done. We are His children and He wants us all around Him. So in spite of everything, make the effort to connect, to love, and to be loved during this holiday season.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
By Ann Farabee
The days must have felt like an eternity – and they slowly turned into months while sailing on that ship.
They had been willing to make sacrifices in order to travel to a new land. It was a stormy season. Food began to run out. They slept on wooden pallets. No baths. Chamber pots. Seasickness was rampant. The smell onboard was horrendous. Sickness came often – in many forms. The work load was heavy because maintaining and sailing a ship 24 hours a day involved the efforts of everyone.
And the children? Their days and nights probably felt long due to the hardships. But, they helped with work around the ship and took care of younger siblings. They also spent time playing games and running around.
The desire of all their hearts was to attain a new life where they could worship God freely.
We call them the Pilgrims.
And they were on a pilgrimage.
A pilgrim can be defined as one who travels on a long journey. A pilgrimage can be defined as the journey. It is hard to clearly envision their days, because recorded accounts often leave out the heart – but as we know, being in a relationship with the God of the universe includes matters of the heart – like love, dreams, goals, feelings, desire… not the seen, but the unseen.
They were people like us:
Dads wondering if maybe they should not have come.
Moms worrying if the trip was too hard on the children.
Children – sick and hungry – trying to find something to pass the time.
There were even some orphans onboard – who may have felt alone and fearful.
Doubts probably crossed everyone’s mind at times.
And then… perhaps as hope seemed lost – LAND AHOY!
Imagine that moment. The moment they had kept in view in their hearts the entire trip – knowing that it one day would come. Envision them gathering around on deck and staring at that speck of land ahead, watching it appear to grow larger and larger right before their eyes.
They had not belonged on the ship, nor had they felt at home on the ship. In their hearts – they knew they had been strangers and pilgrims who were bound for their permanent dwelling place.
When they reached the shore – they knew. They were HOME. As their feet touched the ground, their emotions plummeted them to their knees as they began to cry out prayers of thanksgiving to God.
Their faith in their God – and sacrifices made – had not only impacted each of them – but impacted generations to come. Worth it.
*Like the pilgrimage of Abraham to the Promised Land.
*Like the pilgrimage of Paul, as he traveled on foot to share the Gospel to the world.
*Like the pilgrimage of Jesus from heaven to earth – so we can go from earth to heaven.
*Like our pilgrimage from our home on earth – to our eternal home in heaven.
Be a pilgrim. Stay on your pilgrimage. It will be worth it.
God promises provision for it.
God provides power for it.
God has a prevailing purpose for it.