What Are You Growing?

by   July 25, 2026 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

What Are You Growing?

            A friend asked me the other day, “How are the weeds growing in your garden this year?” I was a little surprised by the question but then I laughed and said, “The weed crop is doing wonderful. I have lots of varieties growing and they are producing copious amounts of seeds.” My garden is actually growing well this year and we are enjoying some tasty treats.

            There are problems in the garden every year. This year it has been so hot that I don’t want to go out there and work on the weeds. The dry weather hasn’t helped either. I have watered my garden but that didn’t help the corn. I pulled some the other day and the ears were small but the corn looked pretty. When I tried to eat it off the cob it was dry and not very tasty. We creamed some of that corn and that was better.

            Weeds can be a problem in both the vegetable and flower gardens. I have sprayed some of the weeds and others I have pulled, but when the weather gets so hot I want to stay inside. Weeds need constant attention and they seem to grow and flourish under all kinds of conditions. The vegetables and flowers that I want to grow are struggling with the hot and dry conditions. I wonder why the things I want take so much effort and the things I don’t want seem to do well even when neglected.

            When you stop and think about it this applies to many areas of our lives. Staying physically fit takes time and effort. We have to be diligent to get out there and exercise because if we choose to stay in the nice cool air conditioning lots of lazy bad habits will develop. I haven’t been out walking as often with the high heat and humidity, and it’s easy to talk myself out of going out for walks, which I know are good for me.

            It applies in similar ways to our food intake. Summertime is a great time for salads with all the fresh stuff around. With the news of a parasite on the loose I have been a little cautious of eating salads until they figure it out. Eating the things that are healthy becomes challenging. A cookie sounds better than an apple, right? Things out of our gardens should be safe, let’s eat those good things while we wait for the parasite problems to go away.

            These same things apply to our spiritual lives. It is easy to skip reading the scripture or to decide to pray on the go. Our spirits need the intake of reading the Bible and the connection with God through prayer. When we choose to skip quiet time with God we will grow a little weaker and become more disconnected.

            Time is a precious gift from God. We need to think about how we use this gift. We can fill our time with all kinds of unspiritual things quickly. There is nothing wrong with enjoying watching TV or scrolling social media, but if we do that instead of spending time with God then we are starving our spirits. Like the weeds, it is easier to spend time with the TV, social media, or texting with friends. Our spirits need connection with God, and that happens best in a quiet place where we can hear His still, quiet voice.

            I want to choose to grow spiritually and pull the time-wasting weeds out of my life. I am not suggesting that I am going to stop being on social media or give up TV, but I want to make choices about how I use my time. Saying no to the easy things, the weeds, will help me make a better connection with my Father. I want to hear His voice and let His love and peace permeate my life. Then I want to listen to His voice and do the things He wants me to do.

            I want to encourage you to look at your life as a garden. Now consider what you are growing. When God walks through the garden, what will He find? Will there be fruit and vegetables, or will He discover weeds? Don’t feel guilty; we all have weeds that need attention. We all can work on cultivating a closer walk with Him. He loves spending time with each one of us because He loves us and He likes us. Take small steps and find little ways to connect deeper with God then watch how it grows. Happy spiritual gardening!    Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

He Chose You

by   July 24, 2026 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Ephesians 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

  • No question, God has a very specific purpose for each of us. 
  • So often we think we have followed after Him and chosen Him, when whilst He has chosen us before the foundation of the world.
  • God works out ‘everything’ align with that purpose.  There is a bigger hand in everything we see around us.  The almighty God!

Prayer:  How magnificent You are Lord.  I bless Your holy name today, because You are almighty and powerful and You have a destiny for me and have chosen me.  I am so grateful that I am part of Your plan.  Help me to yield to You in every way I pray in Jesus name.  Amen. 


Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Your Morning Routine! Huh?

by   July 23, 2026 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Your Morning Routine! Huh?

   I spent several days this past week discussing morning routine with others and what it means to have one. We all know people who sleep till the last minute, jump in the bathroom and clothes and then make the mad dash out the door with a honey bun and Sundrop. They haven’t made their own bed in years and there is no plan to make the best of the morning.

    I’m proud of my morning routine, one that has developed over the years to bring me to what I hope is my best self in the morning, “before the world starts asking for pieces of you!” That is a famous celebrity quote about morning routines. I am a firm believer that mornings shape the day. But just as people are different, so are and should be morning routines.

     A good morning routine is one that fits your schedule, energy and goals. It helps start the day with clarity and control. You don’t need a 10-step routine, nor do you need to be the earliest riser. What I have found is that many have no routine and don’t want one, but those who care about their body and mind functioning at their best have developed at least some form of routine. Part of the early discussions most fitness trainers will address with clients are about their morning practices.

    Although many morning routines fail for various reasons, the first and possibly most important thing is to set the wake-up time correctly. This will probably adjust with success. Routines should start with positives that you are already doing. Coffee, water, bathroom, nourishment, exercise. Some morning rituals need momentum and energy, some need calm. Music might work here, and possibly news and weather. Most experts say that as the routine develops, the orderliness of the morning eases worries about the day and other anxieties. Estimate the time that each of your segments should last, add the total and see if it works for you. Know always that more segments likely will require an earlier wake time.

    If you don’t have a routine yet, there are many things worth considering for a portion of the valuable morning time. Consider more options like making your bed, opening curtains, listing intentions and goals for the day, brushing your teeth, prayers, journaling, reading your Bible or devotions. Start small and then add as desired, with the goal of developing a sequence and priority.

     I read that experts suggest a 15-25 minute minimum for beginners, 30-50 minutes as a moderate time, and an extended routine of 60 minutes or more for those with time available. Morning exercises would generally fall into the extended time routine. As you proceed, track what is working and what’s not. Adjust with deference to the wake-up time. Develop a consistent rhythm and make the morning routine a habit. Weekends might be different too, a time that is possibly longer and more relaxed, and therefore even more productive.

      I am totally addicted to my morning routine, and on the rare day that I overslept, I am out of sorts at least in the beginning, as I have to delete or shorten segments. I want my list done by the time my feet first hit the pavement, usually between 5:20 and 5:30am. If so, I know that my morning is off to a successful start.

     On tap for next week is the 29th Annual Run for the Greenway at Overton Elementary School. Race day is July 18th and start time is 8am.  The race is sponsored by City of Salisbury Parks and Recreation and all proceeds with help with Greenway expenses. Look for great awards, commemorative shirts and Steve Clark’s collection of big-time refreshments.

    We now know much more about the only other July/August event remaining locally. The SRR Prediction Run on August 29th will have a pair of new shoes for the winner and a pair of Topo’s, one of the hottest shoes on the current market, and six pair of Feetures socks as door prizes. SRR will also include a drawing for free races and the September beginning runners class.

    Look for these events and others upcoming at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Gotta’ Run: Your morning routine! Huh?

A Faithful Man!

by   July 22, 2026 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

July 11, 2012 – written 14 years ago, so of course a lot has changed. But as the writer of the gospel of John would say, there’s so much else I could write, but the world wouldn’t hold all that. =)

Once upon a time there was a young man in high school. He had just started dating this girl. He took a chance and asked her to a casual Bible study where she met the Lord. She told her two sisters who also trusted Christ. Two years later the young man married this high school sweetheart. Through the years they had three daughters. Her sisters also each had three kids. All but one is married now. From that family here’s a few of their summer activities this year:

  • Two are training for triathlons; one just swam clear across Lake Norman
  • Two had major roles in Bible School at their churches
  • Two are hiking the Appalachian trail, taking a six month adventure break
  • Two are in Kenya doing survival and language training as missionaries
  • One is headed to Haiti for a summer mission trip taking supplies to an orphanage
  • One is working her way through Bible college in order to train young people
  • Several lead Life Groups and Bible studies in their homes
  • Two are expecting babies this fall
  • One just delivered
  • One is paper pregnant
  • Two continue to faithfully serve as pastor and wife at their church
  • One is a lawyer who helps missionaries get their paper work [wills, etc.] in order
  • Many faithfully work wherever they are needed in various vocations and churches
  • One is a youth leader; he and his wife just witnessed 27 kids accepting Christ and 30 others re-dedicating their lives to the Lord at summer camp

And it all started because a young man in high school took his girlfriend to a Bible study.

Happy Birthday David! Thank you for loving me and our family for forty years! Thank you for willingly serving wherever the Lord leads. Your example is a testimony of what God can do with one obedient faithful man! This verse sounds just like you:

“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” -2 Tim. 2:2

PS:

The moral of the story is that while David would never take credit for all the wonderful things his family is a part of, we never know how important our simple acts of service and obedience are in the grand scheme of things.

Be faithful in “little things” today!

So many happy days!

Dreams…

by   July 21, 2026 with No Comments

Steve Hartman tells the story of a tall man who didn’t want the fame and fortune of being a basketball player. BUT what happens if you fail when trying to reach for your dreams??? Watch and see…. ENJOY!!!

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