Great Races Ahead

by   October 31, 2024 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Great races ahead!

     With a rare weekend off, local races get going again next weekend with a doubleheader and some of the county’s best events. Cooler weather is here, and better race times should be the result. And with shorter days along with the cooler temps, the first three races have commemorative long sleeve dri-fit shirts for 5K participants.

       First up is the St. Matthews 5K and Fun Run at the church located at 9275 Bringle Ferry Road on Saturday, October 26th. This rural course uses scenic country roads while the race benefits several community and church members with severe medical issues. Church members spend several months getting sponsors and finding those most deserving of the proceeds. The 5K starts at 9am with the fun run to follow.

     The next day, Sunday, October 27th, brings Halloween fun at the long-running Spooky Sprint 5K and Fun Run. Held at Catawba College’s Shuford Stadium, the 2pm 5K will use a new course that includes the soccer/softball complex and the greenway out to the Crescent area and back. Runners, walkers and fun runners can all compete in a festive costume contest following the race and just ahead of the awards ceremony. This race benefits Rowan Rotary community projects with an emphasis on youth.

     Then we skip to November 9th with the Clean Water 5K at Grace Lutheran Church. The 5K starts at 8:30am and the fun run follows at 9:15. The race starts and finishes at the church where all participants get freshly made hush puppies. All proceeds from the race will benefit the ELCA Global Clean Water Ministry.  For the first time, male and female overall winners, male and female masters (over 40 years of age), and top male and female fun runners will all receive cash awards.

     One of Salisbury’s fastest growing events is the Butterball 5K held at The Forum on Thanksgiving morning, November 28th. Starting at 8:30am, runners and walkers have plenty of time to finish the event, grab some refreshments and maybe an award, before heading off to other Thanksgiving Day plans. With $500 in prize money to the top three overall males and females, this race usually has some sizzling times. All proceeds benefit the Terrie Hess House and prevention of child abuse.

     In December, we have the Freeze Your Buns 5K and Fun Run at the Winterfest Festival in Spencer. Watch for more details coming soon on the December 7th event. The Santa Run 5K is set for December 14th at the Millbridge Ruritan Building. While many of Rowan’s residents have never seen a Bigfoot, please be aware that this race is held annually in conjunction with an annual Squatch gathering on the same day. All runners and walkers who spot a live Bigfoot will get free pancakes afterwards. All proceeds benefit Rowan Helping Ministries.

      An update on my recovery from a broken back is overdue. I have been able to walk in increasing distances all but one day since early June. My balance and strength have both improved steadily also. Just last Friday, I had a procedure called Kyphoplasty at Novant Health to solidify and reshape the two most damaged vertebrae. Hopefully this procedure, which I have advocated for since the accident, will solidify my lower back and allow for some running and cycling again. Should it not work, then running and cycling are in doubt. At this point, I have been told to wait to try either one until after my next in-office appointment with the doctor on October 29th.

         This past Wednesday marked five months since the accident. In some ways, the time has flown by but most realistically, it has not. I struggle daily without being able to resume a nearly 45-year habit of running every morning for mental and physical health. Hopefully my next report will be a good one!

    For more information on any of the races above, please visit www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Gotta’ Run: Great races ahead

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

by   October 30, 2024 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

1 Peter 5:7  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

  • Life has so many cares and so many challenges.
  • We go from one concern to the other, but God made it very clear for us to give it to Him – it is not always so naturally easy, but we must make a conscious effort.
  • We know He cares about us and that He can carry all of our burdens.  By His grace we hand them over to Him.

Prayer:   Lord I lift my hands in adoration to You today and praise Your holy name.  Thank You that You carry all my burdens and all my cares.  I cast all my cares to You today and I throw them onto You Lord, knowing that You will take care of them and You will take care of me. I praise You that You have always done this.  You are a wonderful savior.  Amen.

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Love & Acceptance

by   October 29, 2024 with No Comments

Steve Hartman tells a story that reveals something we all long for…love and acceptance. This is a special story of one young man’s journey to find it and how it changed everyone around him. ENJOY!

Wonderful Life

by   October 28, 2024 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

Back in the day, when blogs were new-ish, my techno savvy daughter Stephanie helped set me up in WordPress to tell about our crazy family. It never occurred to me that Lynna’s Wonderful Life would be such a tongue twister, or that the following 14 years would include so many ups and downs. Together we’ve witnessed miraculous answers to prayers for babies, the loss of both our beloved mothers, the foreclosure of our “forever home,” bankruptcy, job loss, healing from breast cancer, and many regular days where we’ve considered the Lord’s amazing care. Whoever decided that living for the Lord would make the path smooth was sadly mistaken. Actually life became so difficult at times that I could not write at all. Because if I cannot be honest with you, it’s better to stay silent. So I have for a while. Chemo brain kept me a bit foggy too. At least that’s what we’re going with.

In June of this year, David and I celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss. Well, you know. A blissful-ish situation. Nice meal at home, many well wishes… it was good. In July, my beloved David was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He began treatment a few weeks later. At the end of September, we had to call an ambulance, this time for me. Apparently my colon ruptured. Emergency surgery was done that Monday night. Eight days later I was finally allowed to go home and today, I’m rejoicing in the shower from Heaven. OH! Lynna’s life is wonderful again. But I have to say, last week I thought I might die and wished I’d hurry up.

While I was in the hospital, storms hit our beautiful NC mountains. I couldn’t help but realize: At least I knew where I’d be sleeping. A cozy hospital bed with caring staff answering a call bell sure beat the heck out of a gym floor… or worse. I’ll take it. Those poor dear folks. I love how so many have stepped up to help in their time of need.

Just like you have helped us by your many prayers.

Thank you. All these years… just thank you. Much love from the crazy place we call Clarkville. Like the Lord, your love and care has been amazing. I’ll try to keep you updated. But I have no doubt that all will be well. Though David has had to skip his treatments, he’ll resume those next week. Our daughters are taking sweet care of us, each one filling a vital role; much like you, the body of Christ.

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing!” -1 Thess. 5:11

Oh how we truly appreciate you all!

Two Ships, Two Stories

by   October 27, 2024 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

Recently, my family of 7 embarked on a vacation to visit a couple of different sailing vessels, which anyone will tell you is more of a trip than a vacation. We had not planned to create a seafaring-themed adventure, but homeschool studies of the Titanic and a desire to revisit a familiar museum made a trip to the Titanic Museum in Tennessee and the Ark Encounter in Kentucky a workable plan.

It wasn’t until looking into the review mirror of our trip home that I realized the unexpected juxtaposition of these two tours within the same week. Both were feats of design and engineering but contrasted vastly in intent and responses. 

We first visited The Titanic Museum. Although it was not a depressing tour, there were many elements of sadness. Upon entering the ship, we each received a ticket as a 2nd or 3rd class passenger who journeyed on that fateful voyage and a brief description of who they were. We took guesses based on information we gathered or surmised as to whether we would be among those who survived the tragedy or sank to a tragic demise.

Hosting 2,240 people, the size of the Titanic was astounding – much larger than the dimensions of Noah’s Ark, which housed a pair of each kind of known animal. This epitomized man’s skill, knowledge, and experience, promising new hope for those moving across the sea. Rumors abounded of the ship’s indestructibility. Although the museum only presents a half-boat, one can imagine the opulence and luxury in the 1st class decks and the more modest living quarters for the 3rd class passengers. One encounters the icy-cold waters and the steep incline of a sinking ship before the tour ends with passengers looking at the wall to see if they survived or drowned on that dreadful night. Then, you conveniently exit through the gift shop. 

The Ark Encounter is built so you can experience the full-scale size and engineering wonders, which house so many animals and accommodate Noah’s family for those many months on the boat. For although it rained 40 days and nights, they lived onboard for over a year. As you look at the information and life-size models, you become a believer that an ark like this could be built and maintained by God’s design. It is a remarkable museum for an impressive boat – nothing had ever existed like this before in human history. But it did not promise the luxury and opulence that the Titanic would one day hold. 

Did you know that the base ticket for a 3rd class passenger would exceed $1,000 in today’s money? That was a hefty fee for a typical Irish family coming out of the potato famine, looking for work being replaced in the industrial age, and longing for a new opportunity. It would have taken many years and lots of intentional savings to afford passage for one, much less a small family. Yet, many did, with hopes of something better. Life was hard, and many wanted and needed hope.

One exhibit aboard the Ark Encounter shows life before the flood and why Noah prophesied a flood – “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). But rather than a false promise for a chance at a new life, Noah ensured salvation from destruction – a rescue. It was an offer the people around Noah did not know nor believe they needed – salvation from themselves and wrath. It was a free passage – no strings attached. Yet they mocked, and all refused. Every Ark tourist knows this, so there is no wall of remembrance to see if a historical character survived. Instead, sightseers are challenged on how they will live this life – as one pointed toward the promise of eternal life or as one choosing their own will and path, leading to future destruction. 

We left our time on both ships with memories and deep reflections rather than sadness or hopelessness. You may never have a chance to take a cruise and wonder about your safety or even visit these museums. But we all have a choice to make regarding a great salvation that has been offered to us. Choose wisely, and don’t delay!

Slow Down

by   October 26, 2024 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I ate lunch on my front porch today. It was a comfortably warm afternoon after a cool start to the day. I enjoyed reading a good book by one of my favorite authors. The story was moving at a nice, leisurely pace. My lunch was over but I didn’t want to stop reading so I continued on for a little while longer.

            I started to get up and head in the house when I stopped myself. I had things to do. Instead, I settled into my chair. I took a deep breath. What a perfect day. The leaves rustled when a slight breeze blew. The sun’s golden rays reflected off the changing leaves. It was peaceful and quiet; I heard some birds singing and crickets calling through the quiet afternoon air. The breeze stirred and brought some leaves tumbling onto the grass.

            I breathed in the peacefulness and breathed out the worries and expectations of an afternoon filled with things to do. A cardinal flew over, giving a chirp. I admired my neighbors fall decorations. I resisted the tug to get up and go. I took another quiet breath. I sipped my tea and allowed my eyes and thoughts to wonder. The fall sun hangs lower in the sky, thus allowing longer shadows to dance across the lawn. The cloudless Carolina blue sky radiated beauty. How do we miss such wonders as we meander through our day?

            Eventually my body left the front porch but my mind continued to linger. My thoughts remained peaceful. I pondered the experience as I sat down to begin my column. My prayer for His guidance was birthed not in a panic for lack of an idea but rather in the comfort of His peaceful presence.

            Slow down… Breathe… Turn off the noise of this world… He is waiting and wanting to be discovered. God wants us to find Him… God wants us to connect with Him… The problem is not on His side, but rather ours. He waits for us to enter His presence. He desires for us to draw close. He longs for us to turn our eyes toward heaven. He wants to refresh us in His presence.

            Can you feel the Spirit drawing you? He isn’t asking for your time. He is asking for YOU! God wants to draw close to YOU! He is not too busy…YOU are. He is not distant…YOU are. His presence is not chaotic…YOURS is. His presence is filled with love, joy, peace, and hope. He longs to share the peace that your soul deeply desires. His peace is available for YOU if you will only slow down. Breathe. He IS with YOU!

            We can find all we need to live in HIS presence. In HIS presence is fullness of joy. In HIS presence is wisdom for every situation. In HIS presence is provision. In HIS presence is healing and restoration. In HIS presence is love and acceptance. In HIS presence is protection because He will fight for us. In HIS presence is peace that will quiet worry and anxiety. In HIS presence we can slow down. In HIS presence we can breathe.

            The world around us will continue to grow more and more chaotic as we draw closer to His return. The Bible makes it clear that it will be incredibly stressful in the end. We have a choice, we can allow the craziness of life to press in and push us out of His presence or we can let His presence push out the craziness of the world. His presence is with us right now. He wants to lift the burdens of this life off our shoulders. He wants to calm our nerves. We have to open the door and let Him in. We have to choose to slow down…to breathe.

            I want to encourage you to find a quiet place and invite Him in. All my life I have referred to the time that I spend with Him as my “quiet time.” I have learned that He will visit me during quiet time and while I am sitting on the porch, walking, resting, working, or driving my car. I have to invite Him in. I have to open the door. He wants to connect with you. He wants to lift your burdens and give you His perfect peace. He wants to provide for all your needs as your Heavenly Father. It’s up to you! You have to slow down and open the door for Him. I encourage you to slow down, breathe, and open the door of your heart to Him.

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

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