The Future

by   October 3, 2026 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

The Future

            I had to go to Winston early in the week, and I saw some trees starting to show some color while I was up there. Wait…the calendar says October! That can’t be right. It was in the 90’s last week, it can’t really be fall yet. Whether we are ready for it or not, fall is here.

            I have been peeking ahead at the winter forecast and it is looking quite interesting. I do want to caution you about all the fear-mongering that some weather websites are promoting. We are not going to get buried in snow. If you follow the almanacs you will see that one is predicting a warm winter while the other is predicting a cold winter. What do you believe? While most of you know that I am a snow lover and am always hopeful that we will get some snow every winter, I am not getting too excited just yet.

            There has been much written in all the media about the super strong El Niño. We can’t make winter predictions based on one factor. We do know that El Niño winters tend to be wetter, but that does not mean all snow. We might get rain, sleet, and freezing rain. The best news about a wet winter is that I hope we can wipe out the drought conditions which have lingered for the southeast.

            You can be sure that I will be watching the trends and the forecast very closely and sharing my opinion with whomever will listen. What falls from the sky is not decided by any weather personality but by a much higher power than that! God has already seen the winter and the winter weather that is ahead for us. Our job is to trust Him and know that He is keeping a close eye on us.

            It’s not just the weather but all aspects of our lives that God has in complete control. He knows what is going on in your life right now, both the good and the bad. He knows the things you are struggling with and sees the path that will lead you through them. He knows the challenges that are still to come and is making plans to help you through it.

            The future can feel scary and overwhelming. No one knows what tomorrow holds. I have some friends who firmly believe that Jesus is coming back within the next couple of years and others who wonder when He is coming back. The answer according to the Bible is that no one, including Jesus, knows when He is coming back to get us. Only the Father knows when Jesus will come to bring us home. Heaven and the future are exciting and interesting topics but remembering who holds them is more important.

            I believe that God wants us to live each day impacting the people around us for His kingdom. We can do that by sharing encouraging words. Maybe we can lift someone’s burden or give them a helping hand. Showing people kindness can change a person’s day in a positive way. We all have opportunities every day to bring light and hope to people.

            The future is filled with the unknown. How do we prepare? How do we know what things to do or not do? What are His plans and how do I fit in? There are many questions about the future but we have to learn to trust Him with the details. Having faith that we can hear His voice and live in obedience will help us feel assured that we are on the right path.

            Our future is in His hands. The Bible teaches us that God makes good plans for our future. He is a good Father. Our job is to seek His will and guidance, especially when we are facing big changes. Should we change jobs, move, get married, retire? It’s not easy to know and figure out His will. That’s why it is important to be connected into a local church where you have brothers and sisters who can join you in your prayers. God will reveal His plans, which are sometimes different than ours, because He can see things we can’t.

            I want to encourage you to trust God with your future. God is in control of the weather, the stock market, the rapture, and the intimate details of your life. He has made great plans for you. There will be struggles but He will see you through because you are an overcomer. God has your future, our future, in His hands. Our job is to walk by faith and trust Him.

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

His Time

by   October 2, 2026 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

  • So often life seems to be difficult and have unpleasantness, but God has made everything beautiful.
  • All of us have the understanding or the sense of eternity that awaits after this natural life.
  • Our capacity to grasp God and all that He has done and all He is going to do is extremely limited, but we trust in Him and we know that He is able to make all things beautiful.

Prayer: How I praise Your name today Lord for how You have made all things beautiful, even through the trials and difficulties You always come through and do things beautifully.  You are a wonderful God and a wonderful Savior and I am so grateful to be Your child. Amen.

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Catching Up

by   October 1, 2026 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Catching up and details for a busy fall!

   I recounted all the duties of a good race director last week, and there are many. What I failed to mention is another list of things that must get done following the actual race. Here are most of those things but probably not all.

    Final payments from sponsors must be collected, and bills for shirts, awards, any food bought for refreshments and additional things like the sound system, photographer and porta johns must be paid. All the volunteers, including fire and police, will get shirts as do most of the sponsors. Results and photos have to be posted, and sometimes a finish line video. Lots of thank you notes must be written.

    And as soon as all of that is done, initial thoughts of date, location and race headquarters need to be arranged and booked for next year. What worked and what didn’t will make for immediate discussion.

    Notable last week was the Run for the Word 5K and Fun Run in Landis. 20-year-old James Anderson from Landis won the 5K race in 17:56. Anderson is the regular winner of this race, but most notable was the effort of Grace McDaniel who ran 20:25 and topped the women. Her time is fantastic but is especially notable since she is an 8th grader at China Grove Middle. Grace is 13, making her one of the youngest females to ever run this fast on an accurately measured course in Rowan County.  The race itself drew over 200 participants for the first time in an effort to fund Bible teachers for South Rowan area schools. Donations can still be made by calling race director Lynn Furr at 704-724-2819.

   This month’s racing will be completed with the Sisters in the Fight 5K at Overton Elementary School on September 26th. The course uses a portion of Salisbury Greenway and is open to all ages and abilities. The mission of Sisters in the Fight is to support women by educating them on early detection and offering essential resources for those diagnosed with breast cancer, heart disease, and who are facing domestic violence. We offer help with transportation, household tasks, meals, childcare, and medical costs, support groups for women and children affected by trauma, financial aid for children experiencing trauma, life coaching for overall well-being and social groups for healing and support. All proceeds from the race will help us expand our services and support that impact the lives of women, children, and families in need, as well as help promote community awareness.

      On October 3rd, we have the new Faith in Motion Liberty 5K and Fun Run near Morgan School. The next weekend, we cross the county to go west to Back Creek Presbyterian Church for the Harvest Run 5K and Fun Run, with pancakes afterwards. Then. October 17th is the only “Do the Double” day of the year with two races, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. The Run to the River 5K and Fun starts the day in Spencer and Fall Crawl 5K and Fun Run is that afternoon near Landis.

       Next up is the Saturday/Sunday race duo that have been with us a long time. First on Saturday is the St. Matthews 5K and Fun Run at St. Matthews Church, then the scene shifts to Catawba College for the oldest of any of these races, the Spooky Sprint 5K and Fun Run.

     Some of the best energy and pure racing happens at the local middle school cross country meets. Just ahead are several meets for Erwin Middle School at the East Rowan YMCA on September 24th, October 1st and October 6th. Salisbury Academy has their home meet, a big one, on Tuesday, September 22nd       China Grove Middle School has one more meet remaining on October 1st. All of these meets welcome spectators and the coming cool weather with less humidity will enhance performances.

      Look for more details on all of these races and the results at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Gotta’ Run: Catching up and details for a busy fall!
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