Lynna’s T

by   October 8, 2025 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.” -Psalm 56:8

What an amazing thought; that the God of all Creation would care enough about me to collect and keep track of my tears. When I consider my life, lots of stubbornness comes to mind. Like LOTS. In fact I think that was one of the largest traits mentioned on a recent DNA profile. So embarrassing. But instead of keeping my sinfulness and shortcomings close to His heart, He considers those covered by His Son. All because I’ve trusted the sinless spotless lamb of God. No collection in a bottle there. Instead, Psalm 103:12 says, “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”

Tears collected and kept close. Sins cast far away. Oh how He loves us!

Living Proof

by   October 6, 2025 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

Living proof

Always – I am literally in awe of what God has done for me in my life. I consider myself to be living proof of the miraculous feats that the Lord can accomplish in the lives of His children.

God’s children?  WOW? That is an amazing way to think of ourselves, isn’t it?

One thing I am fairly knowledgeable about is children. My life has been filled with children and continues to be filled with children no matter the age I reach.

Forgive me as I reminisce for a minute  –

The number of children I have taught has reached into the thousands, for sure. 40 years in the public schools, sometimes teaching 4 classes a day, ten years in my tutoring business, Sunday School teacher for 30 years or more, children’s choir and youth leader.  How much more fulfilling could life be?

For the record, some of these years overlapped, but either way, I am not a spring chicken, as you know. Hey, I worked hard to get as old as I am!

You see, God had a purpose for my life – and as part of that purpose – I believe He will keep me here on Earth until He brings that purpose for me to completion.

Yes, even as a teenager when I was first beginning to internalize what it meant for Jesus to know me – and for me to know Jesus – showed me that God had a purpose for me.

Yes, even during my college years – when I seemed to stray often – I never strayed so far that the Holy Spirit was no longer with me as He kept showing His love for me, guiding me toward Him, and keeping me safe until I returned home – which was located in His arms of love and forgiveness.

You see – God is our God of our lifetime.

He is not just our God of troubled times.

He is not just our God of good times.

He is our God that that knew us before we were born.

He is our God that has a plan for our lives.

He is our God of love, compassion, and forgiveness.

During the early years and situations in which I walked away from God’s Word, He was always with me – in the car, in the classroom, in the apartment, the dorm room, the work place, or at home living with my parents..

There was a song I often sang to myself back in the 70’s as I was finding my way, while working at McDonald’s, Pizza Inn, Roses, and going to college. What began as a song where I cried over a relationship with a boyfriend, became a song that I worshipped to as I realized my failure as a young Christian:

Maybe I didn’t love you

Quite as often as I could have

Maybe I didn’t treat you

Quite as good as I should have

If I made you feel second best

I’m so sorry I was blind

You were alway on my mind

You were always on my mind.

Thanks to Willie Nelson, BJ Thomas, Elvis Presley, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and others for singing this song that always brought me back to Jesus!

Sometimes, my mind begin to wander away from Jesus.

In my heart, he was never second best – but one could not tell it by the way I lived.

Thankfully – Jesus and the mind of God never wander away from us.

After I got saved at age 13, I realized that all I had to do to bring to Jesus to mind was to think of Him  – and there He was -lingering in my spirit – hearing every word I thought or said as He comforted me and hugged me to sleep each night. All I had to do to touch Jesus was breathe His name in my mind or in my heart.

Then came age 23. I was teaching middle school and I wrote a Bible verse each day on a post-it, put it in my pocket or on my desk and looked at it throughout the school day. Sometimes, I didn’t even look at that post-it because putting my hand on it was enough to remind me of promises from my Lord and Savior.

Walking around my classroom all day with a Bible verse in my pocket was probably one of the most important things I did to nurture my relationship with my Jesus.

I was reminded that God’s Word is alive! God’s Word was speaking to me!                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is alive and active…

It does not matter if we are at work, at home, in the car, or wherever our day takes us – God can speak to our hearts where we are. He still will. He still does.

Shh… Listen. Did you hear that?

Did you hear His voice speaking to your heart?

Don’t you love that? I do too!

We are living proof that God still speaks to us!

Conversations That Change Us

by   October 5, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

            Have you ever had a life-changing conversation? Many are engaging in both public and private discussions – looking for clarity, challenging others, or wrestling with unanswered questions. Often, clarity come when someone takes the time to journey with us and our questions.

            “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Rise and go toward the south….go over and join this chariot’” (read Acts 8:26-50). And so, Philip leaves a thriving ministry in Jerusalem to follow where the Holy Spirit’s leading – to share the gospel with an Ethiopian eunuch in the desert near Gaza. This story that both fascinates and helped propel me into Christian ministry. I must confess, there was a season in my youth when I assumed the role of a Philip in the life of a young believer. 

            It is part of our Christian life in the God’s family to share what we’ve come to understand and to help others to deepen their understanding their walk with Christ. Paul instructs Thessalonians Christians to admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, and strengthen the weak, all in patience (1 Thessalonians 5:14). It’s not hard to see the need to fulfill these biblically assigned roles.

            However, in my eagerness, I sometimes assumed my job was to teach, redirect, or encourage. Thankfully, not long after I first attached myself to this verse, I found myself in the other seat of the chariot – the seat we see occupied by the Ethiopian eunuch. Receiving truth and understanding why I believe what I believe became of great importance, particularly in my 20s. Having a teachable spirit to the unwavering, unchanging truth has kept me grounded. Though I long to follow the direction that leads me to help others know the truth (not my truth, the Truth), I’m also grateful when someone climbs into my chariot to encourage me and remind me of God’s thoughts towards me.

            The Ethiopian here was reading from Isaiah and had profound questions regarding the identity of whom the writer was described in Isaiah 53:7-8. Philip clearly gave the answer he was seeking. But I wonder what other questions were sealed for him, knowing he likely read the full scroll of Isaiah. Hold that thought. 

            This man was a eunuch, likely infertile – perhaps mourning the loss of family legacy as he submitted to his service to his queen. He was a also a Gentile – someone who was not a Jew, part of the chosen family of God. He was returning to his home of Ethiopia to serve Queen Candace after having spent time in Jerusalem worshiping God.

            As Philip explained the passage for which he had questions, did he have a profound “aha” moment – recalling other passages in Isaiah? Perhaps Isaiah 56:3–5, which promises eunuchs a legacy, or Isaiah 18, which speaks of Cush (his homeland) being welcomed into God’s family.

            How his heart must have overflowed, realizing that God saw him there in the desert and sent Philip to encourage him and lead him into a radical new life: one of hope, encouragement, joy! In fact, the Ethiopian was so overwhelmed by this transformative truth, he called out, “Look, there is water, what stops me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36). 

            Consider your role in the chariot of life, particularly the Christian life. Is it time for you to step into someone else’s chariot to help them understand? Perhaps it is to encourage a young generation filled with many questions and inundated with wrong, very loud answers. Or maybe it is time to invite someone to climb into your chariot, ask them some questions, gain some clarity, and hopefully be refreshed by the joy of salvation as you learn that Someone sees you and cares enough to send another to journey with you for a bit.

Planning Ahead

by   October 4, 2025 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Planning Ahead

            Every year about this time many of us receive packets of information to help us choose a health care plan—it’s open enrollment season. Besides a main insurance plan, there are extra benefits available at an additional cost. We have to choose which plans will work best for our health care needs.

            My wife and I are working to get some other plans in place, too. No one really likes to think about it, but it is important to set up a will. The old adage says there are only two sure things in life… death and taxes. We want to make sure that we have plans in place for the inevitable. In North Carolina if one passes without a will then the state will decide what happens to your estate. Passing without a will could really leave your spouse in a bind. Neither of us wants that to happen.

            Sometimes I wish that the DeLorean from Back to the Future was available so I could go back and talk to my younger self about financial planning. I recently spent time with two financial planners who opened my eyes to a number of things I should have done and that I can still do to have better plans in place for our future. One pointed out that we are going to have more health issues as we age. I can put some plans in place now that could help me then. He also had plans on how we could take our nest egg and make it into a much more substantial nest egg.

            I am beginning to realize I have much to learn about the Golden Years of our lives. I learned it’s not too late and that I better get busy and make some decisions sooner rather than later. The data and choices are sitting on my desk waiting for me. Once the decisions are made, I will need to execute them. Some of these decisions are unpleasant, especially those about the end, but if I don’t make them they will be made for me and I may not like what is decided.

            While planning ahead in this life is very important, planning ahead in our spiritual lives is much more important. Many people are under the false impression that God decides our eternal destination. They believe that they will walk up to God who will decide if they are “good enough” to get into heaven. The reality is that none of us is good enough to get into heaven. Even people we believe are good, kind, and spend their lives helping others are not good enough to get into heaven.

            The Bible makes it clear that we have all sinned and fallen short of what God expects to let us into heaven. We can’t do enough good stuff to erase the bad. We also can’t hope that God will just let us in. The decision about where we will spend eternity is entirely in our courts. God has made a provision; He has made a way for each one of us to make it into heaven. We have to choose before we die to follow His plan.

            God made the plan simple. We don’t have to jump through hoops or complete some rigorous task. We simply have to turn to Jesus and ask Him to be our Lord and Savior. It’s that simple. Anyone can do it, including the worst person you know. God is full of grace and mercy. We can see proof of that when Jesus was dying on the cross. One of the thieves who was crucified alongside Jesus asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus told the man that they would be together that day in heaven. The man didn’t have time to do any good works for God yet he will be there in heaven and we will get to meet him one day.

            I want to encourage you to plan ahead for your eternal destination. You don’t want to miss heaven and being with Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. The place has got to be spectacular because it’s going to make this world seem pale in comparison. The other benefit will be that we will be surrounded by God’s perfect love and peace. I hope your plans include going there and that you have made that all important decision. I look forward to meeting you in heaven one day!  Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

I Will Not Fear

by   October 3, 2025 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Psalms 91:5-7  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

  • Many may be effected by different things, but we are safe because we trust in Him.
  • There are things that are real like ‘terror of night’, but we are completely surrounded and protected by the Lord and His angels.
  • Pestilence that stalks is almost unexpected often times and we have nothing to be afraid or concerned of, because the Lord is our helper.  

Prayer:   Thank You Lord that I can be safe in You today and not be concerned of what people say or how they react or what they do.  I am completely at peace in You. Amen.
 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Watches & More

by   October 2, 2025 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Watches and more!

   I have had numerous running watches over the years. I began running way back when we had to go drive a course for a fairly accurate measurement. Since my back injury last May, every mile run or walked has become more precious. I have owned a Garmin 265, a mid-range quality watch, for a little more than two years and I love it!  It is used only for running and treated well, and it is the most accurate measure of distance, pace and speed that I have ever had. The heart rate is also very accurate, and I love following it along the way. For about 10 years, I wore out a couple of Garmin 410XT’s for my purposeful walking, mowing, spraying, and especially for five months of the walks during the early recovery from the broken back. The last one died last week, so I bought an Ezon something from Amazon for $47. I found out right away that my choice was a bad one.

   I remember one day years ago running a proposed course at Dan Nicholas Park to be used for a new 5K. I ran it with one of SRR’s best female runners ever, Trudy Gale. We both wore the same watch and ran side by side. Our times were 4 hundredths different on the 5K course. We all have favorite routes that almost never measure exactly the same. Online measuring tools like Strava and Map-My-Run are close but not exact. As I remind others often, the only accurate measure of any course is a wheel. That is why only the wheel or a calibrated bicycle can be used for course certification. Yet a good running watch is very close.

    Back to the Ezon, it appears to be a Chinese made watch and is a challenge to set up. Here are a few things I didn’t like. The watch function is chosen by matching time zones to a large city. I chose NYC, the only one on Eastern time but that one was an hour off, and I had to choose a Canadian city to get the time right. The longest distance the watch could measure was a 5K. And the kicker—after accessing GPS for measuring distance, I sat down in my chair inside. I hear a ding shortly after and was surprised that I had just covered one kilometer, then soon another. This was not the watch for me, so it is on the way back to Amazon.

    I longed for an affordable Garmin and searched Amazon for the right one that could take a beating from farm work. I didn’t need all the extra data. Just time, pace and distance. I searched E-Bay and found plenty of Garmin 305 watches, similar to the 410XT. I found one that looked new and had free delivery for $25. I ordered it on Sunday from Seattle, Washington, and daily tracking kept me posted where it was. The watch that does look new arrived on Saturday and I couldn’t be happier.

    New high-end watches are approaching $1,000 quickly. When I bought my Garmin 265, it was about $265. The best one is about $450 now with training metrics and recovery insight, other versions are just under $400. My just arrived basic Garmin 305 Forerunner is now 15 years old and was $25 plus tax delivered. It is all about time, pace and distance. It won’t make calls, answer texts or propose a training plan, but most of us really don’t need it to? Lots of other affordable E-bay options are available.

     Almost two weeks ago on a Friday evening, I was mowing along the road frontage on my farm. It was wet and my walk-behind pro mower slipped into the ditch. I couldn’t wrestle it out and the sun was setting. I started walking back to get a tractor to pull it out when I noticed a van had stopped and was backing out of my driveway. The van came back down the road slowly and the driver, one of three teen girls in the van, asked, “Can we help you get your mower out of the ditch?” I thanked them and told them that a tractor was available. I just hope they read this and know they made my day just for offering!

    The next race locally is the Hugh Bost Memorial 5K and Fun Run in Rockwell on September 6th. Look for this event, the fall beginning runners class and a lot of others at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org  

Cremains

by   October 1, 2025 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

Isn’t that a funky word? Kinda like Craisins which is the word for raisins which are actually cranberries. If you’re like me and didn’t know, cremains are the remains of loved ones who’ve been cremated. Well, I don’t guess they’re all loved. But the ones I currently am in possession of sure are. As you know, David passed away almost three months ago. We had decided together that we’d be cremated and that it would be nice to have our “cremains” scattered at one of our favorite vacation spots near the ocean.

“I’m not sure that’s legal,” David wondered as we spoke of these things years ago. “I think I’d rather have my ashes mixed with paint and sprayed onto the motorcycle so I can keep on riding.” For good measure he added, “Make it a glossy black, but don’t cover up the flames Nic ghosted in on the gas tank.” I shook my head at my crazy man and replied. “I’m not gonna have to worry about it. I’m going first anyway, so just pick a place at the beach and sprinkle me into the waves. You’ll probably want to stand up wind though so you don’t end up wearing me home.” He got a weird look on his face then somberly said. “Don’t you dare die first. I can’t stand the thought.”

So annyyywayyy… here I am, three months later without the strength to travel to the beach or anywhere else for that matter. I don’t want to task this adventure to our daughters, so I ordered a small wooden box for the cremains. It’s really pretty with a tree carved in one side. I decided I could live with my beloved’s cremains sitting on our bedroom dresser. No biggie. Then I found a nice little nameplate and had it personalized with his full name, dates, and the salutation he put on all his school correspondence to parents and such. “In His care,” was especially fitting. When it came, I opened the package with reverence, looking forward to seeing this sweet tribute to the man who loved me so well. Look how great it turned out.

Oh well. Somewhere in Gloryland, David is getting the last laugh. Or should I say “Sparky?”

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