Roads & Paths

by   January 31, 2025 with No Comments

                                                            By Roger Barbee

            The hand-mixed concrete sidewalk at the front of our past Edinburg  house leads to a gently sloped bank that ends at the road. At the top of the bank is a row of large boxwoods. One does not need to be an archeologist to surmise that at one time the sidewalk met the old road, which was of gravel, and the boxwoods were a border between it and the front yard. But in the 1950’s the gravel road was modernized at the request of its property owners and asphalt replaced the gravel; however, some owners were not fully aware of what modernization was bringing, according to my friend Gordon.

            Mr. Wolf, who farmed at the end of the country road next to the North Fork, had the habit, according to his daughters, of stepping on his “lucky rock” each time he would walk to town. His “rock” was a piece of limestone that protruded above the gravel where the country road met Route 11. When the state paved the road, his lucky rock was scrapped away, and the bed of the road no longer followed the contours of the land. Small rises were cut out and dips were filled in to make the road more level. So, the bank in front of our house was cut lower, causing the sidewalk to lead to a small cliff, and other modern engineered changes to the land altered the contour of Old Bethel Road. What had been a sort of safe, old path for feet, hooves, wheels, and the occasional tire was now a road of modern means.

            Wendell Berry describes a path as “…little more than a habit that comes with knowledge of a place. It is a sort of ritual of familiarity.  As a form, it is a form of contact with a known landscape. It is not destructive. It is the perfect adaptation, through experience and familiarity, of movement to place; it obeys the natural contours; such obstacles as it meets it goes around.” The new road does not follow the landscape, but altered it. The new road, which allows much higher speed than the old one, so people may not see the landscape. The new road covered Mr. Wolf’s lucky rock and other familiar objects created from experience. However, many people will see the paved road as cleaner, safer, and easier to maintain. Those are good reasons to pave a gravel road, but I want to see the old and new road as a metaphor for our present culture.

            Recently I read an interview with a cancer survivor who decided to create a new line sympathy cards. Emily McDowell wanted to create cards for people who “did not know what to say” to a friend who was recovering from a serious illness such as cancer or just going through one of life’s tough times. She received good feedback concerning her honest cards, and she soon teamed with Kelsey Crowe, an empathy scholar who founded an organization called Help Each Other Out where she teaches people how to empathize in times of illness or difficult times. My question: Have we become, as a culture, so void of valid emotions that we need a book to guide us on how to feel for each other and how to express that feeling? 

            I argue that we need more paths in our lives. It seems to me that we have literally and figuratively built so many roads in our lives that we do longer see the landscape and have lost familiarity with its intricate features, such as a projecting piece of limestone that becomes a “lucky stone.” We move so quickly and are so busy that we have forgotten how to express sincere empathy for our fellow humans. We have such a need for so called success that we pack the lives of our children with too many activities thinking that more is better, but they may not see the landscape of their childhoods. We even pave our walking trials as if packed dirt is to be avoided at all costs.

            Of course roads fill a need in our modern world, but can we not create literal and figurative paths in our lives that show us our landscapes while offering us a chance to become familiar with our physical surroundings and neighbors. A path will slow us down on occasion, and that will help us know how to relate better with our surroundings.

Winter Flight Salisbury’s Day to Shine

by   January 30, 2025 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Winter Flight, Salisbury’s Day to Shine

     My favorite racing day of the year is whatever day the venerable and historic Winter Flight races fall on. This year, for the February 2nd event, we have a new title sponsor so the official name for the event is the 42nd Annual Forum Fitness Winter Flight 8K, 5K and Fun Run. Some things stay the same, as Catawba College will again host the event. All three courses are the same, although a few changes happened over the first 41 years.

      This race had its start in downtown Salisbury before settling on Catawba College and the long running partnership there. The 8K {4.97 miles) is the oldest race of that distance in the state and has for many years attracted some of the best runners in the southeast and occasionally from much farther away. California and Hawaii were both listed on the signup list over recent years, and former Olympians still hold the male and female course records. Michael Zachow from Bemidji, Minnesota drove here to run the race three years ago then he eventually helped with directions and pointers on my Mississippi River bicycle ride the next summer. The 8K is the Road Runners Club of America North Carolina State Championship.

      About a dozen years ago, we added the 5K, a slightly less competitive event although you could never convince past winners of that. Both the 5K and 8K start at 2pm in front of Goodman Gym at 2pm, usually with a notable starter. This year’s starter will be Steve Staley of Charlotte, the keynote speaker from Salisbury Rowan Runners Annual Meeting the night before. Staley has completed about 1600 road races of various distances and will compete in this year’s 8K. Walkers should participate in the 5K unless they can cover the 8K course in 90 minutes or less.

     The first event of the afternoon is the county’s only free half mile fun run that is open to anyone of any age. The fun run is two times around the Shuford Stadium track. Only those 12 or under are eligible for awards. The next event is a wheelchair race with handicapped riders pushed by the strong legs of adult runners over either the 5K or 8K course.

     All participants in the 8K and 5K get a commemorative hoodie, plenty of refreshments and a chance at about 160 overall and age group awards. New this year is the bicycle raffle provided by Skinny Wheels Pedals and Pints. A Roll Gravel Adventure 1 bike will remain on display at Skinny Wheels at 111 West Innes Street in Salisbury. Tickets at one for $5 and three for $10 are available there, at The Forum, Rowan Helping Ministries and through any SRR board member. The drawing for the bike will be at the race awards ceremony in Goodman Gym. All proceeds for the raffle and races go to Rowan Helping Ministries.

      The annual meeting, pre-race pasta dinner on Saturday evening February 1st is at City Park Recreation Building and is open to anyone interested in the race, beginning at 6pm. Cost for the event is $10, while SRR club members and sponsors are free. Those running on Sunday can stop by to register or pick up their packet including race bib, commemorative hoodie and goodie bag.  On site registration continues at Goodman Gym on the Catawba College campus on Sunday beginning at noon.

  Fifty-five sponsors support the race, most notably The Forum, Catawba College, the City of Salisbury, David Post, First Horizon Bank, the Trophy House of Salisbury, Debbie Suggs Catering, Millbridge Ruritan Club and Global Contact Services. The Salisbury Police Department, assisted by cars from several other communities will keep both the simultaneous 8K and 5K runners and walkers safe. The Salisbury Fire Department will be on the scene in case of a medical emergency.

   Online registration is open now at runsignup.com and continues through race morning, February 2nd. Look for more information about Winter Flight at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org or by calling 704-310-6741.

Gotta’ Run: Winter Flight, Salisbury’s day to shine

Sleepless in Salisbury “A”

by   January 29, 2025 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

Do you ever lie awake wishing your brain would just shut down? A quote from an old movie fits well in this situation. The master teacher admonishes his student who could not complete the task. “Too many minds,” he warns. Currently, we are dealing with a lot of unknowns. David is being treated for stage four cancer, while I deal with a lesser illness. Together we toddle through each day, doing our best just to keep up. By the time our heads hit the pillows at night, you’d think we’d be so worn out that sleep would come easily. But, often there are “too many minds.” I asked God to help me with this and He has. I thought you might could use this too. Everybody’s got something they carry to bed with them… I mean, besides a teddy bear and an extra pillow. So here’s what I do when I just can’t sleep.

I start with A.

For each letter of the alphabet, there is at least one great Bible passage that focuses on God’s promise to care for us. So for the next few days, I’ll share the one I dwell on when sleep won’t come. Write it on a slip of paper and put it by the bed so you’ll have it. Or pull it up on your phone; just try not to get side-tracked with all that other stuff. Think on what it means and pray it back to God. In a few weeks you’ll have a whole list of promises to help you rest.

So here’s A:

“God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we ask or think, according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” -from Ephesians 2:20

Think about it. I am not able… but He is. I have very little strength or wisdom or ability. But He has unlimited resources. Dwell on that amazing truth tonight. Ask Him to do even more than you can imagine.

And I pray you rest well.

A Blind Guy Does WHAT?

by   January 28, 2025 with No Comments

I have often accused the refs of many sports of being blind. But what about the sports announcer, could he do the job blind? NO WAY! How do you describe what is happening on the court or field if you can’t actually see it? Steve Hartman will introduce you to…the impossible made possible. ENJOY!

Depth of Salvation

by   January 27, 2025 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

The Depth of Salvation

Salvation is simple – but deep.

The words were words from my pastor, but I took them home with me.

I began to remember the night I accepted Christ into my heart.

I let go of the back of the pew in front of me – and took the first step.

Walking nervously down the aisle, my tears began to flow and I fell to my knees at the altar. Jesus was doing a work in my heart.

The preacher called it an altar call. I called it a life changer.

At age 13, the Holy Spirit was ministering to my heart and I accepted Jesus.

Surrounding me was hand clapping and cries of  “Amen,” and “Praise God,” coming from those in the congregation. 

 That night when I went to bed, I pulled the covers up over me tightly, and felt a deep spiritual moment in time that I still remember. Jesus was right there. I could talk to Him in whispers or I could think a prayer in my mind, and Jesus could hear it. Relief and joy came along with having a friend named Jesus who would walk with me and talk with me and tell me I am His own. Oh the joy we shared as we tarried there, none other has ever known. Jesus was mine. I was His.

It almost seems simple. I guess God made it simple enough that simple people like me could understand it. But at the same time, the depth of what I had experienced seemed way beyond simple. Nothing or no one is bigger than God! The Resurrection of Jesus as He burst forth from the grave to give us victory over death was the greatest event in the history of the world!

Because of my relationship with Jesus, I began to feel that I was no longer a nobody, but I was a somebody. I was a child of God.

It is amazing how much of that Sunday night, October 15, 1967, that I can still recall.

The words of this song are what I heard as I walked down the aisle:

Just as I am without one plea

But that Thy blood was shed for me

And that thou bidd’st me come to Thee

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

My legs were shaking as I took those steps to kneel at the altar, but it was easier walking down the aisle than it had been standing there holding on to the pew.

When that dear lady, that I have no idea who she was, prayed with me and said Amen, we then stood up and hugged, as she said, “You don’t have to go to hell now.” It was a comment that has stayed with me forever and I sure am glad she said it.

Salvation is the deepest, richest, strongest, and most profound experience anyone could ever have – and Jesus wants to give it to us freely. He paid the price. He loved us enough to die for us.

Salvation still works.

Salvation is still God’s plan for the young and for the old and for all in between.

Anyone who has accepted Christ has the same advocate fighting for them throughout battles of life that I do. Salvation flows deeply, forever in our minds, our hearts, and our spirits. It brings us rivers of joy.

Need Jesus?

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will  be saved. Acts 16:31

By grace are we saved through faith, and not of ourselves. It is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

Jesus is the Son of God.

He died for our sins, and rose again so that we could have eternal life.

Pray. Accept Him into your heart.

Salvation is the key.

Jesus is the door.

Sacred Trails Through Snow & Shadows

by   January 26, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

For hours, we watched for updated forecast posts on social media. We saw the gaping hole in the map that seemed to say to the snowstorm, “You shall not pass – at least not in this area. You can have most of the rest of the state, though.” 

But finally, as we sat down to an early supper, we noticed the flurries. In the eerily, gloomy haze, the white wisps did fall and stick to the ground.

Though only trace amounts, my younger children awoke the next morning with expectant eyes. Thankfully, recent experiences with barely distinguishable amounts of snow have cultivated a sense of excitement and contentment over the short-lived frosts. After some morning learning time, we set out to explore. 

We had already noticed neighbors across the creek had nothing white on their back lawns. Ours, however, had a lovely, though sparse, sprinkling. Could it be that the shadows of the trees kept the wonderland safe in our yard? Of course, we trekked through the woods, keeping our tradition of doing so on white-blanketed days. My daughter ventured off on her own with a sense of freedom. ”Be careful of the thorns as you hike through,” I cautioned. My youngest son and I went on our routine hunt for ice on the creek. What boy doesn’t want to break off sheets of ice and see it shatter like glass? “Don’t get too close to the edge and fall in,” I warned.

In the shadows: a warmth amid bleak mid-winter, glittering treasures to discover (don’t mistake them for just snow-covered branches and rocks), snowy places protected even if for a little while to bring moments of delight. 

I have walked through many shadowy places in my life. Many valleys of the shadow, even. I am sure you have, too. I have watched my closest loved ones succumb to their end here on earth. I have held hands and loved those who walked close to death’s door and came out victorious, thankfully. But walking through shadowy places can be a painful, dangerous place we would rather avoid. It can seem unending with no relief in sight. As difficult as it is for the loved one going through life’s last door, those who remain behind can be overwhelmed by anticipatory grief.

But in the shadows, there can be warmth, glittering treasures, and sacred places to bring moments of delight. In her final year, I remember spending whole days with my mother away from my family so I could just be “daughter” with my mom a little longer. Talks, laughs, sitting still together – sometimes talking like she would be here forever; other times sitting still, realizing these were precious moments. Towards her final days, the entire family gathered around to sit, share stories, hear her talk about the Bible, and even listen to her describe what she thought she heard or was seeing. Like a little girl, I had opportunities to climb up in bed with her, read her Scriptures, or hear her share memories I had never heard her say. These were moments that we would not have otherwise experienced.

The shadows can be dark and scary places, but they can also preserve memorable moments unique to the valleys. When you next go through the shadowy places, remember, “Yay, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of darkness, I will fear no evil, for You [God] are with me.”

Ashlie Miller and her family live in Concord, NC.

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