Cleaning Out the Closets

by   January 25, 2025 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I looked out the window at a sunny, beautiful day. Then I opened the front door and felt the breezy, freezing air and closed the door. This will be a week that I will enjoy from inside my warm house. I enjoy being outside as much as possible, but with the extreme cold I will find some things that need doing inside. I am not even sure I will attempt to go for a walk this week as temperatures are expected to be below freezing for most of the week.

            I don’t like hot and humid weather or breezy and cold weather. The only really good part about cold weather is the possibility of snow. It is easy to be lazy when it’s cold. I can scroll social media, watch some TV, or curl up with a good book. The hours pass and very little gets accomplished. The problem with trying to tackle inside projects is that it usually involves cleaning out something. When you clean out a cabinet or closet you have to throw things away. Therein lies the problem. I am sentimental. It’s hard to give up stuff. I took a carload to Goodwill before Christmas and really should do it again.  

            When things are neat, clean, tidy, and organized it feels good. The problem lies with the process. If you decide to start with this closet then you will need to work on that closet too because some of these things need to be in that closet. The result is a huge mess because everything will be pulled out and then we are back to making decisions about what stays and what goes and those decisions feel impossible. You always need that thing you got rid of two weeks ago!

            So you close the closet doors and find something else to do. It seems easier to pretend the problem doesn’t exist than to find the energy to work through the mess and make the tough decisions about what to keep and what to let go.

These same principles apply to our spiritual lives. There are habits, attitudes, and things that need our attention and need changing but the work required causes us to close the doors and move on unchanged. We all carry spiritual baggage that we need to eject from our lives. We carry past hurts, brokenness, failures, disappointments, disillusionment, anxieties, distrust, and a bunch of other things. The solution is to carry all these things to Jesus because He cares deeply for each one of us and wants to lift those burdens off our lives. The trouble is that it takes time and we have to open those closet doors up for Jesus. It’s a mess and we would rather pretend those things don’t exist, so we end up carrying this heavy load that God never intended for us to carry.

            Jesus came to heal us from our hurts and brokenness. He knows all the ways we have been disillusioned and disappointed by people and He wants us to know that we can trust Him. He knows all the anxieties and fears we face and He wants us to know that He holds our future and everything about our lives in His hands. There is no failure that He can’t redeem.

            Can you imagine what life would be like if you didn’t have to carry all the mess around? Why do we try to find ways to repay God for our sins? Jesus already paid that price for us. All we have to do is accept His free gift of forgiveness. Salvation is a free gift open for anyone who will receive it. We need to bring Jesus to the mess hidden in the closets of our lives and allow Him to help us clean it out. He wants to clean out all the mess and have a beautiful place where He can store our testimony to His goodness. Our story of His forgiveness. Our faith in His guidance. Our hope in the future He has planned for us. Our peace that surpasses understanding. Our joy at the wonder of what God can do with our brokenness.

            I want to encourage you to open your closet doors to your Heavenly Father, who is in the business of cleaning up messes. It takes time, energy, and faith to open those doors. God is compassionate and loving. He doesn’t want you to carry all that stuff around. Let Him lift the burdens off your shoulders so you can walk free as He intended. Let His love and joy clean and clear your heart so you can walk in His peace.  

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

Policy and its Procedure

by   January 24, 2025 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

            Non-public schools reserve the right to expel a student for a rule infraction, be it one of a discipline or honor violation, or both. Also, poor academic performance may lead to a student being expelled. It is hoped that all such schools print a clear and simple set of expectations and possible consequences for their breaking in some forms for students and parents to follow. As difficult as it is for a student and school, sometimes the best action is for a student to be expelled. But, in my opinion and experience as an independent educator, expulsion should be the last recourse.

            Earlier today when I read the following in an ABC on-line article, I was disappointed: “A Christian school in Kentucky is accused of expelling a freshman student after seeing an image of her celebrating her 15th birthday with a rainbow cake and multi-colored sweater. Kimberly Alford said officials at Whitefield Academy in Louisville sent her an email last week with the image of her daughter, Kayla, and informed her that Kayla was no longer a student.”

            Whitefield Academy, like all non-public schools, maintain its right to expel a student as mentioned earlier. Fine. Yet what I cannot understand, if the mother is correct, why did the head of school notify the student and parent via an email? I understand that the photograph of a student can cause alarm for a school when the school sees the picture as going against one or more of its core beliefs. Alford says that the head of school told her when she called that the cake and sweater represented gay pride, not a core belief of Whitefield.

            On its web page, Whitfield lists its Core Values. Two of them are: Compassion and respect for all people. Whitefield Academy believes each individual is uniquely created by God and endowed with specific gifts and abilities. These gifts and abilities, encourage mutual respect, promote Christian love and provide motivation to resolve conflict in a peaceable and Biblical manner (Matthew 18:15-35). Commitment to family values. Whitefield Academy exists to serve Christian families in the process of education. As such, the school is supportive of family issues and concerns. We exist to strengthen the family through a balanced educational program that considers the academic and relational needs of the family (Psalm 127).

            As a Christ follower, I am aware of the Bible’s teachings on homosexuality. I am also a reader of the Gospels, and as I understand them, especially Luke, I appreciate the two Core Values of Whitfield that I quoted. But, how can the head of school believe in them, if a student is expelled via an email. What kind of compassion/respect and commitment to family values does that demonstrate? Shame on that type of Christianity.

The question is not the policy of Whitfield, but the procedure it followed in expelling its student. I hope it will look at its Core Values and follow them the next time a student breaks a rule.

How to Have a Perfect Run

by   January 23, 2025 with No Comments

By David Freeze

How to have a perfect run!!

   This title is impossible! You can’t just have a perfect run. Even if you sleep well, eat all the right things, just had a rest day and are wearing new shoes. I have had all these and almost never does the perfect run happen! I often wonder just how I would want my very last run to be, whenever that may come.

    For now, here’s a description of my 4.31 mile run from home on Saturday morning, January 4th. Why? Because it was at least near perfect, and totally unexpected at that. The temperature was 25 degrees at 5:45am when I headed out in the dark. I walk the gravel driveway since my back accident and then start running on the paved road. First is 3/4ths mile uphill on Weaver Road where I noticed a little more energy than usual. A stout, cold wind pushed me along, but I dreaded meeting it when coming back later.

     It was a dark morning with only a sliver of a moon plus the possibility of seeing some meteors as the tail end of the Quadrantids passed through. Running south on the flatter Patterson Road was a breeze and I felt better and better. Passing homes of friends and neighbors with light weekend traffic added to the fun. I noted my breathing and heart rate were especially good. At this point, it seemed the legs were carrying my body along with little effort.

    I was glad for the handwarmers in my mittens as the cold sidewind was constant. The toboggan on my head and the two dri-fit shirts and one light jacket seemed perfect. Up and down a little hill, the legs felt better and better and then at the turnaround, I headed back toward home. Similar to turning a horse back to the barn, the effort seemed even easier. I saw no meteors although I was looking constantly. I didn’t care, running was good, easier than nearly every day since the accident.

      My Garmin 265 watch from Back Country and Beyond kept recording good stats including a steady increase in speed. I was having a blast while exceptionally light on my feet and the Brooks Ghosts from Ralph Baker Shoes I was wearing.

    Soon it was time to turn downhill and into the wind for the last push toward home. Where was the steady wind that had pushed all the flags uphill at the Price of Freedom Museum? Most of the flags were relaxed with only minimal movement this time by. Yes, maybe it was possible that I could count this as the unheard-of run where I didn’t have to meet the returning headwind. Energy and breathing were both so good that I kept going on past my driveway down to the nearest neighbor’s before stopping.

     Uncommonly, I stopped my watch while shaking my head and saying, “Wow! Thank you, Lord!” Was this the almost perfect run, one good enough to make me content if something similar was my last one ever? I think it was, and I stopped just far enough from my own driveway to do my morning prayers while walking back. The horses met me for their morning apples while I was still shaking my head in disbelief. These runs are few and far between and the best way to start my day. Only a light dusting of snow could have made it better! I hope by the time you read this, I got that snow and attempted yet another perfect run.

     We are just less than a month before Rowan’s biggest running event, the Forum Fitness Winter Flight 8K, 5K and Fun Run. Everything happens starting at 1:30pm and hosted by Catawba College on February 2nd. The 8K is the North Carolina State Championship event while the 5K is shorter and less challenging. The fun run is two times around the Shuford Stadium track and open to anyone of any age. We also have a wheelchair event for both the 5K and 8K courses.

    All 8K and 5K participants get commemorative hoodies and are eligible for one of about 160 awards. Refreshments follow all four events. All proceeds go to Rowan Helping Ministries.

For more information on 2025 Winter Flight, please go to www.salisburyrowanrunners.

Gotta’ Run: How to have a perfect run!

Experience Love

by   January 22, 2025 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

John 13:35  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

  • Nothing else is more evident that we belong to God than the evidence of love.
  • The whole world is looking for love and they know what love looks like – the real thing.
  • Sometimes it is difficult to walk in that love in our own strength, that is why we lean on Him and run to Him to fill us with His love continually.

Prayer:  Lord I surrender to You that Your love permeate my heart and fill me and give me love for those that I have difficulty loving.  Let me be loving to everyone.  Let this one thing flow in my life Lord, Your love.  I crave it, I want it and I surrender to it completely.  Amen.
 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

A Powerful Lesson

by   January 21, 2025 with No Comments

We could all learn a powerful lesson from…a bunch of middle school kids. Did you read that? Middle school kids, without the help of adults, did something over the top and made someone’s day. Steve Hartman tells the story in a way that only he can do it. Watch, get tissues… but watch and ENJOY!

Not My Marble

by   January 20, 2025 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

Not my marble

It was the most beautiful marble I had ever owned. I guess that was why I slipped it into the pocket of my dress that day and took it to school with me one day when in 2nd grade. Maybe I would get a chance to show that boy in my class that sat beside me that I had a prettier marble than anyone in the class. Yes, everyone brought marbles to school that year. it was a beautiful swirl of blue, green, and yellow. That boy I liked that sat beside of me would certainly be impressed.

Here is how it happened:

We were doing independent work. That means no talking and the teacher sits at her desk. It was a safe time to show that boy I liked my blue, yellow, and green swirly marble.

I pulled it out of my pocket and it rolled right out of there onto the floor and right over to a spot under his desk. It sure did make a loud noise on that wooden floor, but I made sure to act like I never even knew about it.

That teacher’s voice spoke, as she stood right at my desk, “Whose marble is that?”

I froze.

That mean boy beside me smiled and said, “Ann’s.”

Tattletale.

He reached down, picked it up, handed it to the teacher, and gave me a big smirk.

He was happy because I had never ever been in such big trouble.

The teacher said, “Ann, is that your marble?”

“No,” I said in a shaky voice.

She took it with her and I heard a big clank as she placed it in the drawer of her desk.

In the time that was left in our school day, my thoughts were, “I am in BIG trouble. What is she going to do to me? Will she tell my parents? Will I have to go to the office? Will I get a paddling? What will happen to me?”

Being in trouble was new to me, and I expected the worst.

After an excruciatingly long afternoon, the bell rang, and we all began to exit.

 I tried to be invisible, but my teacher stopped me.

She reached into her pocket, pulled out that marble, and handed it back to me.

I had just been a recipient of grace.

What I had considered an unpardonable sin had been forgiven and I was restored.

Except for the memory   

However, as I write this, I remember not only the grace, but I also remember my lie.

It was a lie that she knew was a lie.

I wonder if that lie made her no longer trust me? I hope not.

It was a marble. Marbles were not allowed at school.

But – she taught me one of life’s greatest lessons that day- it was grace.

Grace is often described as unmerited favor.

I did not deserve the grace she showed by privately giving me my marble back.

But – she gave it to me anyway.

A kid bringing a marble to school without permission – not a big deal, right?

But somehow, it is now not only one of my earliest memories, but it was also an early lesson learned in life as my teacher’s example of grace was poured into my life.

I wish I could tell her now how much that one experience in life taught me, so I believe I will try it this way, “Thank you, Mrs. Hagler, my 2nd grade teacher at Woodrow Wilson School, for not only teaching me the curriculum, but also for teaching me about grace.

Making the Most of a Not-So-Snowy Day

by   January 19, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

We were braced for it: a well-stocked pantry for cozy recipes thanks to an email newsletter; boots brought from the garage to be warm enough to welcome eager feet; gloves paired into actual matches to protect hands for snowball fighting. 

At the first sign of flurries, I popped a couple of frozen hash browns into the toaster oven, switched on the electric hot water pot, and opened a sleeve of hot cocoa powder. The littlest kids were ready! I sent them to the treehouse with treats in hand (or, rather, mittens). I spied upon them from the kitchen-nook window as they nibbled on their salty potatoes, sipped their decadent cocoa, and wishfully watched the flurries fall. 

It was not long before the teens came out, ready for adventure. One took the siblings through the woods to “Big Rock” – our name for the boulder along the survey line of a neighbor’s backyard. It isn’t quite Narnia, but one can believe it is nearby. Later, they successfully had a snowball fight. Where did enough snow for that come from? Well, Dad had forgotten to remind them not to scrape off the snow from the cars – oops! 

“Can we make snow cream?” my daughter asked as she presented a small monolith of snow in her mittens. “Is there really that much snow?” I asked, bewildered. The snow bowl that had been optimistically set out was scant; she had scraped snow off the dirty railing. Oh dear, it really has been too long for them to remember any snow etiquette. 

With hopeful hearts, the children finally came in for a dinner of fireside stew by the gas-fire logs (naturally). We decided to watch “Prince Caspian” from the Narnia series because we had rewatched “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” during Christmas break. These movies feel quite wintry.

Topping off the evening were small bundt cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes that I had frozen recently to thaw out for the perfect occasion. This certainly seemed to be shaping up to be such. 

However, as you know, the evening did not end with more snowfall but rather ice, sleet, and cold rain. Wistfully, we all went to bed. The next day did not look magical; it looked disappointing. But, I still had a couple of little people eager to get the most out of the barely used sleds – sleds purchased at a yard sale maybe a couple of years ago, still in like-new condition. And guess what – you can slide pretty successfully on frozen grass, even if it looks just like normal brownish-green grass! It may have only given an hour’s or so worth of fun, but it was fun just the same. 

Sometimes our expectations are not met. More likely, it is truer to say they are seldom met. I am a realist and feel more like a pessimist at times, but slowly, I am learning to make lemonade from lemons. No, we can’t make snow cream out of dirty snow. But rather than sulk or blame the weatherman, we can choose to foster gratitude in the little people watching us. Little eyes are watching me. They are still making memories. They won’t all be awesome, but good enough can be sufficient, too.

Ashlie Miller and her family grass-sled in Concord, NC. You may email her at: mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

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