Gotta Run II

by   February 10, 2020 with No Comments

By David Freeze

A lot of effort goes into NC’s oldest 8K and fourth oldest race of any distance. Last Sunday marked 37 years of Winter Flight’s existence. Only 411 registrants came to Salisbury from five states. I say “only” very lightly because it was the largest Winter Flight in ten years and currently the largest running event in Rowan.

One of Salisbury’s long-time runners, Lyn Boulter, moved to Ocean Isle Beach in January. When boxing up her things, Lyn found some extensive information that she had retained as co-race director of the 1992 Winter Flight. I found that information amazing, especially since serving as the 2020 WF director.

Back in 1992, there were two major races in NC during February, WF and another in Raleigh called the Run for the Roses 5K. Long before the current glut of races that every charity seems to have, Salisbury had one of the biggest and best races in the state. And yes, it was often held in very early February.

Here are some of the interesting figures from their record keeping, very well done and finely detailed. Major sponsors were Silver Eagle Distributors, the title sponsor, Thor-Lo and the Salisbury Rowan Merchants. Major expenses were Jim Young’s timing company from Raleigh, a huge amount of sweatshirts and long sleeve shirts, a sound system, a volunteer breakfast at Shoney’s, postage (before email and websites) and awards.

The 1992 race had almost 1200 runners, just off the 1400 for the biggest one ever. Newsletter records following the race say that members wanted to consider moving the race from Catawba College, add Pepsi as a major sponsor and attract 2,000 runners in 1993.

Income from sponsors, entry fees and sold concessions was just under $21,000. Entry fees made up over $12,000 and sponsors were $7,650 of that total. Concessions aren’t sold at today’s race but they were with some success in 1992. Total expenses were over $15,000. That Winter Flight raised just under $7,000, which mostly went to club expenses. Salisbury Rowan Runners was a much smaller club then, but a larger percentage of members were active regularly. Almost every member participated as a volunteer or runner and often both.

Flash forward to 2020, and some things were different while others remained the same. The same was especially interesting. We’re still at Catawba College, 28 years later. Sponsorship raised was almost the same, and the title sponsor was a beer provider. Trophies and awards were made by the Trophy House then and still were this year. Registration dollars lagged only slightly behind this year with almost 800 less participants.

On the different side, average registration was $12 in 1992 while average paid registration this year was a little over $32. A handful of sponsors participated in 1992, while 53 businesses supported the event this year.

For extra volunteers, the 1992 WF used the Lions Club while the recent event received major volunteer support from Rowan Helping Ministries. Total SRR, RHM and other volunteer and professional support this year was about 80 people. I expect it was similar in 1992.

Winter Fight 2020 was a great day again for Salisbury and also for Rowan Helping Ministries. All those sponsors, volunteers and participants came together in a big way. With just a small amount of final accounting remaining, Rowan Helping Ministries will receive a check in the neighborhood of $13,000 within the next 10 days. And already, planning is underway for the 38th annual event on January 31st, 2021. Hope to see you there! There is a distance and community celebration for everyone.

With one cancellation, we only have one race for February. The always fun Will Run for Food 5K is set for February 29th. The race at Centenary Methodist Church uses a fast course and supports packaging of dried meals for those in need. Check it out at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Should we Pray?

by   February 9, 2020 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

Ask Hezekiah. He was near death. With his face turned to the wall, he prayed. He asked God to remember him. He wept. The Lord responded that he had heard his prayer. He had seen his tears. He would heal him. God gave him 15 more years.

Hezekiah’s Address: 2 Kings 20

Ask Hannah. She had not been able to bear a child. She became discouraged. At the depth of bitterness in her soul, she prayed to the Lord. She wept. God answered her prayer. She gave birth to a son.

Hannah’s Address: 1 Samuel 1-2

Ask Moses. His prayer was to see God’s glory. He was allowed to see God’s ‘back parts’ as the Lord passed by. When Moses came down the mountain, his face was still shining, because he had been in the presence of God.

Moses’ Address: Exodus 33-34

Ask Jairus. He saw Jesus passing by, fell at his feet, and urgently begged, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. I pray thee, come and lay hands on her, that she may be healed, and she shall live.” Jesus went. Word came that the daughter was dead. Jesus said, “Be not afraid. Only believe.” Jesus took the girl by the hand and told her to arise. She got up and walked.

Jairus’ Address: Mark 5

Ask Peter. He was in prison. The church was praying for him without ceasing. Peter was bound with chains. He slept between two soldiers. The keepers of the door were on watch. The angel of the Lord came, shined a light in the prison, and told Peter to arise. His chains fell off his hands. The angel told him to get his shoes on, cast his garment about him, and follow me. They went past the guards – and the gate opened by itself!

Peter’s Address: Acts 12

Ask the thief on the cross. As the dying thief looked at Jesus on the cross beside him, he asked, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus did.

Thief’s Address: Luke 23

*1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.

*Mark 11:24 – Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Should we pray?

Here’s a better question –

Why wouldn’t we pray?

*Ask Ann – to pray for you. I would love to add you to my prayer list.

*Ann’s address: annfarabee@gmail.com

Never Give Up

by   February 8, 2020 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I imagine you watched the Super Bowl on Sunday. I watch the Super Bowl every year. Maybe I should say it this way; I watch the commercials during the Super Bowl. Even though I won’t be discussing them with my students this year, I still watched them. It’s interesting to see how we market products and how that has changed over the years.

            I also enjoy the pregame pageantry. Every year they produce a video showing the beauty of our country and salute our men and women in the military. I like the singing of “America the Beautiful” and the National Anthem. I usually enjoy the half-time show. I just noticed by what I wrote that it seems that I enjoy all the things that surround the big game.

            Well, let’s be honest, often the Super Bowl ends up being a blowout. Many times by the end of the third quarter I have muted the game and am off doing other things. I always keep checking back and want to see the final score.

            This year was a different story. At half-time the score was tied and the game had my interest. The game remained close until the end. It was probably one of the most exciting Super Bowls in recent memory. Whether you liked the outcome depends on whether your team won. Either way, it was still a good, close game.

            I remember noticing that the score was 20 to 10 and there were about nine minutes left in the game. I told my wife that anything can happen and that either team could still win the game. My wife said that nine minutes in a Super Bowl could last an hour. I laughed, and it almost did last an hour. Well, unless you are living under a rock…and yes, I saw that Super Bowl ad… you know how the game turned out.

            It makes me think about something very important…no matter what our circumstances look like, we can never give up. Things can always turn around. I am realistic enough to know that sometimes they don’t turn around, BUT, I have seen things that looked impossible actually happen. I have seen it in the sports arena and I have seen it in life.

            I know people who have received devastating medical news and then seen God move in miraculous ways and change everything around. Some of the circumstances were uphill battles, but in the end, God won. I believe God uses modern medical procedures, guiding the doctor’s hands, to bring about His victory. But I have to admit, I still like seeing the miracles.

            I know some people who have reached the end of their rope in their marriages. They were ready to sign the dotted line and end it. But God stepped in and did a miracle. The enemy thought he had won, but God got the victory.

            I have read stories of people who were past broke and couldn’t imagine hope. But God used people to give them a chance. Some may claim they got some lucky breaks, but I believe they worked hard and God’s favor rested upon them. Their story again reveals that my God is going to win the victory.

            I firmly believe that God is a master at taking broken and messed up lives and turning them around. The enemy thinks he has won when people get hooked on drugs, legal or illegal. I know too many stories of people who have been set free from that trap. They may still be tempted, but God is going to help them keep their victory.

            I think we falsely believe that if we lose a skirmish that we have lost the battle. Everyone who fights loses some of the skirmishes along the way. We all get knocked down. We all fail. We all sin. The battle is the Lord’s. We have to get up and start fighting again. We also have to know who is on our side. God does not know defeat, He only knows victory. With Him on your side, you WILL overcome. You will defeat your enemy. You will have the victory.

            I want to encourage those who are fighting and feel like you are losing, KEEP FIGHTING, for the battle is the Lord’s. Get up! You can overcome, even though you have heard the whispers in your ear that you won’t. God is going to help you. You may get the miracle, or you may be called to fight the good fight of the faith. Keep fighting. Keep praying. Don’t lose hope. Keep believing. I believe you are going to see a victory.

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

Porch Lights

by   February 7, 2020 with No Comments

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.

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