His Birthday

by   December 19, 2025 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

For the secular and non-Christ followers in America, Christmas most likely is a season of gifts, a season of colorful lights, a season for a trip to share time with relatives, a season for a tree decorated with trinkets and heirlooms, a season for parties, and more. It seems  this observer that “the season” has begun earlier and earlier in order to take full advantage of the commercial side of this birthday.

However, for this Christ-follower, the substance of this birthday is more. Yes, I have always given and received gifts, had a decorated tree, and such. But I am aware of the power of the commercial world during Christmas and work to “be in the world, but not of  the world.”

Jesus’ birth mystifies still. Yes, he was born of a virgin, but what of the arduous journey that his parents made?  What of the smelly shepherds informed of his birth by angels? What of the Roman military occupiers of the land who wanted the child killed? What of so much surrounding this birth of one small child? Luke writes in 2: 18-19 that Mary, after hearing from the shepherds that folks wondered at their story, “kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Since Luke was not present at that time, did the young virgin, who was cast like Job into an unasked-for role,  tell him how she felt at that time?  We know so much with so little, and our faith must take over for much of Jesus’ birth.  

But we are a culture that likes and expects concrete answers. So, I offer to the reader a poem by the English poet, U.A. Fanthorpe that may explain this magnificent birth:

BC:AD

This was the moment when Before

Turned into After, and the future’s

Uninvented timekeepers presented arms.

This was the moment when nothing

Happened. Only dull peace

Sprawled boringly over the earth.

This was the moment when even energetic Romans

Could find nothing better to do

Than counting heads in remote provinces.

And this was the moment

When a few farm workers and three

Members of an obscure Persian sect

Walked haphazard by starlight straight

Into the kingdom of heaven.

May peace reign: Vrede, Salām, Paz, Shalom, Peace to us all.

Resolution Run

by   December 18, 2025 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Resolution Run, Why You Should Do It?

    Rowan County had 31 normal races in 2025, plus we had two Girls on the Run events. Some of these events were small and three of them pushed on 400 participants. The West Rowan Bible Teachers 5K, the Butterball 5K and Winter Flight’s 8K and 5K were the big ones. We’ve had great fun at all of them, in fact, some people enjoy them so much that they seldom miss one. Why is that?

   First and easiest is that we all need to challenge ourselves with good exercise, at a pace that we can handle. Since most of the local events are 5K’s, 3.1 miles, all ages are welcome. We often see kids, 9 and under, and occasionally we’ll get 90-year-olds to join in.

   Do a few and be assured that you’ll make new friends, even without trying hard. Walkers are always welcome and many of them walk and talk the whole distance of the race. Many of our races average about 100 people, and it is my guarantee that if you join in at whatever pace, you’ll soon be looking for blossoming friendships at the next one.

    We all love the outdoors, and you’ll get plenty of that. Some of the races are scenic, but no doubt you will enjoy improving your health while exploring new areas. I found out years ago that every time I went to a new race, I learned something about the town or city. You probably would too!

    Races locally remain inexpensive, often half of what they cost in Charlotte. Our 5K’s average about $30 per entry, and for that total, participants will be a part of a group effort for better health, get a quality dri-fit t-shirt or some other exercise apparel like socks, gloves or toboggans. Participants also get great refreshments and a chance at overall and age group awards.

     While what you as the participant may get is important, just as big is what the charitable organization gets because of your presence. Sponsors of all shapes and sizes see the event and want to be part of it, and in the long run, the host charity is the biggest winner of all.

     Another way to make the most of one of our local runs is to volunteer for it, to just say, “How can I help? What can I do?” Those are the two sweetest phrases that a race director gets to hear.

     So, how can you get involved, get your feet wet and just give it a try? We have one race a year that has been long intended for boosting new commitments to better health for the upcoming year. Would you believe that this race is next, just at the right time of year? Just when everyone is worried about resolutions! The problem with most resolutions is they aren’t defined enough or aren’t achievable. The “I want to lose weight!” or “I am going to improve my health!” aren’t easily measurable or achievable.

     The Resolution 5K is Thursday, January 1st, and is hosted by The Forum and Salisbury Rowan Runners. It is open to anyone; pace doesn’t matter and the best part for many is that the cost is only $10 early registration and $15 on New Year’s Day. Participants get a new shirt, plenty of refreshments and the knowledge that the whole event benefits Rowan Helping Ministries.

    If you have thought about doing a 5K locally and want to explore what makes the experience so much fun, this is the perfect run/walk 5K to get started. Come do your pace, nobody else will care, except that they will be glad you showed up to just be a part of the fun. You’ll get encouraged, and then you’ll feel proud of yourself for doing all the good things mentioned here.

      It’s simple, go to www.salisburyrowanrunners.org and click on race calendar and then the Resolution 5K. You will see several ways to sign up. And stop by New Year’s morning to tell me that you made it! Bring a few extra canned goods or used running shoes for Rowan Helping Ministries too!

Gotta’ Run: Resolution Run, why you should do it?

Lynna’s “Z”

by   December 17, 2025 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

“When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” He said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.” -Luke 19:5,6

What a picture! A grown man in a tree. All his accumulated wealth didn’t make him any taller. I feel your pain Zac… well, except for the rich part. There was a time when I loved to climb a good tree. Now I don’t even venture onto a step stool. I’ve been warned. Anyway, I love this little story. What a beautiful picture of the heart of Jesus. Loosely translated He said, Hey buddy! Come down from there! I want to be friends with you too. Let’s go get a little matzah ball soup and get to know each other!

Zac scampered down that tree so fast he probably had bark burns. Then the friendship began. Jesus invites us too. No need to stay in the tree. There’s joy to be had!

Let’s go!

Tree art by John Koch of Ocracoke Island, NC

Family is More than Blood Relatives

by   December 16, 2025 with No Comments

Steve Hartman helps us understand that family is much more than blood relatives. Family is….people….people we do life with every day. It might be work, school, a neighbor… Listen to Steve Hartman’s story and see what family really is….. ENJOY!

A Lifetime to Decorate

by   December 14, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

When my husband and I were first married, it was very different from the advice given today before marriage: “Have all your ducks in a row, finish college, establish a stable career, have no or little debt, and maybe one of you should already have a house.” No, we barely had two nickels to rub together! But we had love and a covenant of faithfulness, and that was enough. But love and covenant don’t always leave room in the budget for extras, and our first few Christmases together were tight. Buying a tree to decorate for a few weeks was out of the question. Still, we managed a tabletop metal ornamental tree that we still have, with a few special ornaments we liked.

As I mentioned before, we gift a special ornament to each child around Christmastime. They will have a little start for their own trees one day. Over the years, I, too, have collected favorite ornaments for myself. I began to notice a pattern in what I acquired – wooden, maybe metal, mostly nativities or characters from the nativity, globes, stars, and sometimes those reflecting our own travels or vacations. Some were gifted by family or friends who share my affection for nativities and Christ-centered decor. Others were snagged during after-Christmas clearance days at Hobby Lobby. Several ornaments made their way to our tree through visits to The Cove in Asheville, the Billy Graham Library, or while serving at Operation Christmas Child.

Although I did not set out to have a themed tree, these items adorn the main tree in our living room as a gospel testimony, and it has taken a lifetime to decorate, patiently accumulating the collection. It is fitting, really, when you consider what this season – no, what this life – is all about. This tree reflects a promise and prophecies thousands of years in the making. It was a plan established before the dawn of time as we all know it. A promise that God would fulfill to make a way for all people to have access to God through His most precious gift – His Son, who was already truly God and would step down from heaven to become truly man.

While many argue over whether or not a Christmas tree (or Christmas in general) is pagan, the glow of my tree, adjacent to the glow of my gas logs, radiates a daily reminder of Christ’s amazing sacrifice of leaving the glory of heaven and taking the form of lowly humanity. What a brilliant way to begin quiet time with a hot cup of tea and an open Bible alive with the fulfilled prophecies of the Advent of the first coming of Jesus to earth! It is no wonder that many of us experience January blues after putting away such symbols of God’s faithfulness to His covenant.

How does your Christmas decor speak hope and faithfulness to you or to others? Slow down and make time to soak in or share the message of the Advent season through the gifts that something as simple as your Christmas tree. And keep your eye out for a humble nativity to adorn its branches.

Ashlie Miller and her family deck the halls in Concord, NC. You may email her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

His Glory

by   December 13, 2025 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

His Glory

            My pastor loves to do series of messages, especially at Christmas. He is very creative and comes up with catchy names for his series. I love to tease him about his made up words for some series and the length of other series. It’s all good natured teasing. For this Christmas he created a four week series called the Portrait of the Messiah. While he is teaching, his wife, who is a talented artist, is painting something beautiful. It’s all creatively connected.

            My pastor asked me if I would like to deliver the first message in the series. I love the opportunity to speak and was very excited to be a part of the Christmas series. When I asked what he wanted me to do I expected a basic outline. Instead he gave me one word and trusted me to seek the Lord to develop the message. While that was a bit scary, it was extremely rewarding. I spent time digging, researching, and preparing the message. It was sweet time.

            My word was “glory.” Biblical glory is the visible manifestation of God’s infinite worth, power, and presence. When God’s glory filled the temple Solomon built no one could stand in His presence. God’s glory is so awesome, holy, and pure that our flesh cannot abide in the power of His presence. Yet the Bible tells us that His presence is with us all the time.

            When Isaiah had the vision of the Lord seated on His throne he was stricken by his own sinful nature. When the children of Israel saw His glory on the mountaintop and heard His voice, they were terrified. When the glory of the Lord appeared in the field where shepherds were keeping watch over their sheep, they were shaking in their sandals. Shepherds weren’t afraid of anything. They fought lions, wolves, and bears to protect their sheep. But the glory that shown around the angel proclaiming Jesus’ birth terrified them.

            God knows and understands that His glory is beyond our human nature. The trouble was God wanted a personal and intimate relationship with mankind. He created us to have fellowship. He needed a solution, a way to relate to us that was approachable for all…even the worst of sinners.

            If the glory of God is the presence of God, how could God’s presence to be with us? The only way to make it work was for Jesus to come to earth, live among us, teach us about the love of God, demonstrate how we can live for God, and then He had to die as a sacrifice to cleanse us from our sin. God wanted to permanently erase all of our sin and it required the sacrifice of the lamb of God, Jesus.

            Jesus was human, yet God. It’s because of the price that He paid that we can have a personal relationship with our Father. We can intimately know the creator of the universe, experience the depth of love that would cause Jesus to die for us, and be free from our past so we can live a new and better life abiding in His presence.

            Here is the exciting part: we now get to be carriers of the glory of God. He lives in us and shines through us. In many ways it’s like we get to be mirrors reflecting God’s glory to those around us. He shines His light on us and we get to shine that light on those around us telling them of His great love, mercy, and forgiveness. Imagine if everyone in the world could be free of all their sin, guilt, and shame. What a different world it would be!

            We, like the angel from the Christmas story, have Good News to share with the world around us. Don’t think that you are too broken to share anything good. All the areas of your life that God has restored and even those areas where He is still working all provide a wonderful testimony to how God works miraculous wonders in our lives. If God can fix you and me then He can help fix any lost sinner.

            I want to encourage you to let the glory of God reflect off your life. Let Him get the glory for all that He has done in your life. Let the good changes in your life be a testimony to His love and faithfulness. Jesus came to show us the way to the Father. He came to demonstrate God’s love, goodness, and favor. All are welcome. Let the glory of God shine in and off of you as you point the way to Jesus.

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

1 2 3 4 5