Time to Sign up for Winter Flight

by   February 6, 2025 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Time to sign up for Winter Flight!

    Salisbury and Rowan runners have known about the Winter Flight races for a long time. Most races have a much shorter lifespan, simply because there are challenges to put just one event on. This race has a life of its own and to keep it going for 42 years through sickness, weather, course changes and more as it has evolved into one of the best races in the Southeast is quite special. This year, Feb. 2nd is race day and momentum is building for the historic event.  At present, we know that it is at least the fourth oldest race in the state, but I am pretty sure it is now the third oldest now after another dropped off. Definitely being the oldest 8K (4.97 miles) in N.C. status keeps bringing back some of the best competitors, a fun environment and some wonderful personal stories. Plus the 8K is also the state championship event at that distance. The race usually has several runners trying for 8K age group records.  

     Here are just a few highlights over the years. The first Winter Flight was held in 1981, then was not held in ’82 or ’83 and was reborn in 1984 as a combination of 5- and 10-mile races. These races originally started and finished at the mural in downtown. The race was moved to Catawba College in 1986, also the year that the venerable 8K distance was introduced. The 8K events were very popular then but have been replaced by the shorter 5Ks as the main race distance for the masses over the years since. The Winter Flight races were postponed by a measles epidemic in 1989, and heavy snow in 1996 and 2005. I remember SRR members having to call race registrants with a plan for the postponement and new race days due to the snow.  In 2001, SRR went online with races and registrations. In 2002, the only course change since 1986 occurred due to new construction for Shuford Stadium at Catawba. The race was actually moved to Millbridge and the Sloan Park area due to COVID for only the 2021 version. 

    Course records remain with Olympians Hans Koeleman of the Netherlands with his sizzling 23 minutes and 34 seconds in 1988 and Joan Nesbitt of Chapel Hill in 1992 at 26.48. A Kenyan runner took the male record several years ago but was disqualified for illegal substance abuse in various races more than two years later, so it has reverted to Koeleman, a former Nike executive. Queens College cross country coach Luke Greer came within seconds of the record two years ago.

    In 2003, the Salisbury Rowan Runners began making significant charitable contributions from the race. All proceeds from the 2025 event will again go to Rowan Helping Ministries. This year’s Forum Fitness Winter Flight event kicks off on Feb. 2nd with a free half-mile fun run on the track and open to any age at 1:30 p.m. Wheelchairs hit the street at 1:58 p.m., followed by the 5K and featured 8K race that will start at 2 p.m.

     Registration is available at www.runsignup.com and by printing the form at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org. Winter Flight offers tremendous opportunities for participation to runners and walkers of all abilities and age. The fun run is open to anyone, the 5K is a moderate distance open to anyone running or walking. The 8K is geared to those who can complete the course in 90 minutes. Special thanks to the City of Salisbury for services provided that allow us to have the race and to Catawba College for hosting it. Come join us for a big day! My granddaughter, both daughters and at least one ex-wife are all registered and ready to get their commemorative Winter Flight hoodie.

    The Salisbury Rowan Runners annual meeting and pasta dinner is open to anyone on Saturday evening, February 1strd from 6-8pm. Club members and race sponsors are free, club member relatives are $5, and others are $10. Regionally known running authority and Charlotte native Steve Staley will speak at 6:30pm. Race registration, packet pickup and new memberships will be available also. For more information go to www.salisburyrowanrunners.org or call 704-310-6741.

His Strength and Grace

by   February 5, 2025 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. …For when I am weak, then I am strong.

  • There is nothing to compare with His grace – His undeserved favor.
  • Weakness is where God excels through us.
  • I need not to feel inadequate, but to know that He is my strength in my weakness and will bring glory through it all.

Prayer:  Thank You for Your grace Father and Your goodness and Your undeserving favor that I can face whatever I am struggling with whenever I am struggling with it, knowing that You will always give me grace and strength in my weakness.  Amen. 
 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

See The Lights

by   February 3, 2025 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

See the lights!

Admittedly, I am sometimes a bit Scrooge-like when it comes to Christmas events. But something about having a one and a two year old in the mix mellows me a bit.

Out of nowhere came the idea from someone in the house, “Let’s go to downtown Kannapolis and see the lights!” It was from my son and his family, which includes the one and two year old. Had it not been for them, my response may have been a no, because it was time to watch Gunsmoke. The deciding factor was that even at 7pm, the temperature was sixty degrees, so I knew I could handle it.

My memories of seeing Christmas lights go WAY back to when I was a child and my parents, brother, sister, and I would ride around in the car looking for decorated houses. When we saw one, we would all roll our windows down, so we could see them a little better. (I assume everyone knows the meaning of ‘roll’ your windows down.)

It seems that the older I get, perhaps I have already seen the Christmas lights annually, but I know the truth. I need to see them every year through the eyes of my children and my grandchildren, as many years as they will allow me to do so..

Here is how it went:

One of the babies was in his Christmas pajamas. The other one was dressed in an Elf costume. I was dressed warmly, as a grandma should be.

But the story was about the lights! Our parking spot was not especially close, so as we walked, our little ones saw the lights grow brighter and brighter. So did the rest of the family.

Have you ever noticed the twinkle in the eyes of a child looking at Christmas lights?

The younger one ran toward them with no filter at all in his mind, and tried to grab and feel each light within his reach. That was when I saw the lights sparkling in his eyes. That sure can give a grown up a renewed love for the joy of Christmas.

Yes, children brighten Christmas, but the brightest light of Christmas is the Light of the World, Jesus, who was born in a manger, and visited by Wise Men, who saw the star,

Matthew 2:1-2 tells us that the wise men saw the star in the east and came to worship Jesus.

THEY SAW THE LIGHTS! What an incredible experience! It is an experience that we can have ourselves – the experience of worshipping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Wise Men had been looking for Jesus!

They found Jesus!

They worshipped Jesus!

May I never take the opportunity to worship Jesus for granted.

May I never fail to worship because I do not feel like it.

May I never fail to worship for any reason.

My God SO LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever (that is us) believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Jesus, thank YOU for coming to Earth as a as a child, so that YOU could live among us and die for US, so that we could be saved and be in heaven with You one day. We could never understand Your amazing love.

Lord, may we see and experience the Light of the World this Christmas season.

Thank You for the gift of Your Son, through which we can receive eternal life!

Much More Than a Crutch

by   February 2, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

In Pollyanna, the bright, cheery main character plays the “glad game,” where she considers joy and gratitude in the face of disappointment. In one instance, she recalls when her missionary parents received a barrel of gifts (like a care package). Her hopes of receiving a doll are dashed when she finds a pair of crutches instead. Though she does not need or want them, she is content that she has no need or use of them.

Today’s popular philosophy in our individual belief systems is that they should stay personal. “It’s okay for you to think that way, but I don’t need or want those beliefs.” Christianity, especially, is often remarked as something for the weak, a crutch, if you will. Many view their life as fulfilling and accomplished enough to get along well without the crutch of Christianity. 

What does a Christian say to that? “Yes, you are right. I am weak and need supernatural support.” More importantly, what does the Bible say about those who are lame, weak, and halting around in life? Micah, a minor prophet in the Bible, writes the Lord’s own declaration of what He will do in the Day of the Lord – a day of judgment. He declares, “And the lame I will make the remnant, and those who were cast off, a strong nation” (4:7). 

Strength and autonomy are the virtues of the day. “I can do it myself and should do it all myself.” Many exasperated mothers believe they should have it all and do it all on their own, never leaning into a community of family, friends, or church. Many young women, falsely perceiving the burden of children getting in the way of their path, resort to drastic, life-altering decisions accompanied by unforeseen guilt rather than true freedom. 

Young adults insist on having all their ducks in a row, being financially stable, and well into a career before considering relationships that could lead to a family. Others are overwhelmed by the pressures of how they see the world operating and resort to drugs, self-harm, life on a blue-lit screen, inauthentic relationships, and chatGPT to answer their questions and problems in life. No one is truly making it on their own strength and self-autonomy, which are poor legs to walk through life. Instead of making a relationship with Christ the one they lean into, other substitutes (crutches) inevitably find their way into their lives. 

But notice again from Micah 4 that God is always working and is sovereign over all people, holding each of them accountable to the same standard. Yet, it is the lame and the cast off whom He will make into a remnant to be restored. The bad news is that a day of judgment will come. The good news is that God will one day gather those of us who recognize our weakness and that He is the sole (and soul) strength. He will bring restoration and a future free from eternal judgment, separation, and despair.

Later in the story, Pollyanna depends on assistance in walking due to a terrible fall. That is the case for many of us, too, but not all will be humble enough to acknowledge and submit to that dependence. Who or what are you leaning into?

Ashlie Miller lives in Concord, NC. You can connect with her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

Keys to Success

by   February 1, 2025 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I love my part-time job helping students earn their high school equivalency. We have students from all kinds of different backgrounds who are finding success in our program. My boss believes in a teamwork approach to accomplish our goals. Most days after we finish teaching my colleague and boss will discuss our students and how they are doing. We will share ideas on how to help our students move along and discover success.

            One of the most important keys is being committed. Students who engage in class and at home will find success. Simple things like reviewing notes, doing some homework, practicing skills, and reading on their own helps them find success. Commitment means you will be present in class and engaged with the lesson. Success comes when students apply themselves.

            Don’t think there won’t be any bumps, falls, or failures along the way. Failing does not mean you are a failure. Using the data from a failed attempt can guide a student to success. It is hard when a student hits a hiccup along the way. We are there to help them up, help brush them off, and then help them discover what they need to succeed. Students can’t taste the sweetness of success if they stay on the ground. Success requires getting up and moving forward. I know because I have seen it!

            Success is available to everyone. I told my students the other day that a brick wall is not meant to stop them, it is there to determine how bad they want it. Success costs you something. Some students make a decision: I am going to be done by this date. I have seen over and over again most students are done by that date or very soon afterwards. There is nothing like the joy we feel when students cross the finish line…both students and teachers! Success also breeds success. When one student crosses the line others want to join them in their success.

            The same keys can apply to our spiritual lives. Spiritual growth requires effort. You can’t grow muscles if you don’t lift weights. You have to do the work if you want to find success. If all you do is go to church on Sunday and never say a prayer or read your Bible from one Sunday until the next, how can you expect to grow? Growth and change in your spiritual life requires effort. The question becomes, how devoted are you to seeing spiritual growth in your life?

            If you want to taste success, you are going to have to work at it. The first step is to realize that you are in a relationship with the living God. Any good relationship requires time and effort. If you never speak to your spouse, you won’t be married for long. Connecting with God requires the effort of prayer and listening. Listening requires finding a quiet place where you can hear Him because He speaks to you in a whisper.

            Did you exchange love letters when you were dating? I remember getting letters from my sweetheart and reading them over and over again. If we applied that enthusiasm to reading God’s Word, His love letter to us, imagine the growth and success we would achieve in our spiritual lives. How are you going to learn about God if you don’t read the Good Book? It’s filled with His promises to you. He expressed His love for you. He has solutions for your problems hidden in His Word. The only way to grow your faith and your relationship with God is by being in His Word.

            I think another important key is being in fellowship with other believers. The Christian walk is difficult and we need each other to make it to the end. We will all fall down and even fail in our walks at times. That’s when it is critical to lean on each other to lift each other up when we fall or even fail. Giving comfort, grace, and love to each other is a vital role we all play.

            I want to encourage you to take the steps to grow your faith in God. Connect with one another so you can encourage each other. Read and even memorize God’s Word so you will know His promises to you and learn to depend on them and Him. Have a conversation with God, which means you pray and listen. God really does talk with us if we will listen. Taking these steps will help you build your faith and trust in God and lead you to a successful Christian walk.   

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

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