But we’ve never had a tsunami at Myrtle Beach!

by   March 18, 2026 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

Looking forward to a day at the beach, we were greeted with this sign:

Oh dear. Suddenly I don’t feel much like relaxing. You mean there could be a tsunami? And when it comes, am I supposed to run like the little man in the picture? What if I can’t get out of my chair fast enough? What if I am busy watching the water, wondering why it is suddenly pulling away from the shore? What if I can’t find my flip flops? What if I jump up and run as fast as my short legs can carry me, but it’s not far enough? How far will a tsunami go ashore? Should I get in the truck and hope it just washes over everything, then recedes, leaving me a nice air pocket, while setting the truck upright on all four wheels? What if I can’t run to the truck, get it unlocked, climb in, and shut the door in time? What if David has walked down the beach with the keys in his pocket? Maybe I should just plan on swimming it out. I used to be a pretty good swimmer. I earned all the badges at the YMCA as a kid except the last one. I bet that’s where they taught you what to do in case of a tsunami. Oh why, oh why didn’t I take that last class? Seems like I had strep throat but I could’ve toughed it out. Why didn’t I come prepared for this? Now here we are at the beach without a plan.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:6,7

Thanks Lord. I needed that.

By the way, Lord, will you punish the people who decided to spell tsunami with a “t?” That is just wrong.

Daffodils

by   March 15, 2026 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

“Daffodowndilly”

By A.A. Milne

She wore her yellow sun-bonnet

She wore her greenest gown;

She turned to the south wind

And curtsied up and down.

She turned to the sunlight

And shook her yellow head,

And whispered to her neighbour:

“Winter is dead.”

Though Wadsworth’s “Daffodil” poem is more well-known, I love the last line of this children’s verse by Milne. Daffodils are among the first buds I notice in my neighborhood, at times pushing up defiantly through small banks of snow. Unlike many other flowers that would perish under such conditions, this hardy yellow maiden perseveres.

It has endured and is ready to make its appearance, signaling hope, joy, and healing—inspiring thoughts after a long, cold winter. What a welcome presence the jonquil is!

Early spring can bring out the best in us as well. Weekly, I take my youngest children to a local park to meet other homeschool families for a time of play. Families we have not seen in weeks (or even months) come out when the weather warms, eager to absorb vitamin D while reconnecting after weeks apart from each other. We re-form our bonds over shared stories and laughter, while recounting stories of surviving less-than-ideal times in recent months. We have lived through rough days, and here we are, ready to start anew, much like this hardy narcissus.

Daffodils offer a paradox of being toxic to animals but potentially medicinal for humans (extracts are used in treatment for Alzheimer’s and certain cancers). It reminds me how God’s Word meets hearts, either hardening the hearts of those already rejecting the message or melting the hearts of those receptive to the healing balm.

Many landscapes incorporate a few bulbs of daffodils, but at times, you can find fields of them that have multiplied over time, even nestled in wooded trails like those in Daffodil Flats (Linville Gorge). I recently saw a clump of them growing under a tree alongside a busy road. They seemed out of place with a large commercial building looming in the background. I wondered if they had been planted by a family in another time. I have learned that they bloom for up to 50 years in a field, and bulbs can survive for over a century! What longevity, what story!

Take some time this season to ponder what lies ahead of you by looking back at what you’ve endured recently, celebrate the healing, hopeful winds of early spring, and wonder at the continued cycle of life, hope, and rebirth.

Ashlie Miller delights her children by placing daffodils in colored water. You may email her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

Be Still Peace

by   March 14, 2026 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Be Still Peace

            I headed out for my Sunday afternoon walk. It was the first day of daylight saving time and it was nice to be out in the early evening. It was a cloudy evening and there were actually a few sprinkles at one point in my walk. My legs were complaining about the walk and my mind was in agreement with the weather – mostly cloudy.

            I started looking around at the flowers and blooming trees and enjoying their beauty. I thanked the Lord for family, friends, and for my church. I closed my eyes and allowed the slight breeze to caress my face. Other than a few birds singing, I noticed the peacefulness and quietness in my neighborhood.

            My mind has not been a peaceful place the last few months. I have been consumed by things demanding my attention. In that moment, while I was walking, my mind was peaceful. The breeze blew again and it felt like it cleared the dust and cobwebs out of my mind. There was nothing demanding my attention, just the peacefulness of the day. In the quiet, I sensed His presence.

            I waited on Him. In my spirit I felt a washing of all my worries. There was a deep sense of peace. In the quiet, in the peacefulness, there was a whisper… “I love you.” I let the words wash over me. Again, another whisper, “I am the God who made the sun, moon, and stars and I made you. I love you.” I wanted to keep walking because I felt His presence, acceptance, and His love.

            The walk ended and the evening unfolded like any other Sunday evening. I slipped out to the front porch late before bed. His peace and presence were waiting for me. I prayed and talked with Him about a few things. I really didn’t want to go in but it was time for bed.

            I have recently walked through a very stormy period. The storms raged both spiritually and mentally. I was struggling to find my next step. The more I struggled the stormier it got. My plate was way too full. If I got one thing off my plate, three more were added. Where was His presence? Where was His peace?

            The storm has finally passed. The sun is shining. I dared to ask the Lord, “Where were you when I was going through that storm?” In His grace He showed me a picture of myself drenched in the pouring rain. There He was standing right beside me. I hadn’t seen Him or felt His presence, but He was there none the less. He let me see into my soul as I stood there in the rain. There it was deep in my soul, the faith that I knew He was with me even though I couldn’t sense His presence.

            That was one of the lessons I needed to learn, that He is with me THROUGH the storms. He told me that my faith grows stronger and deeper in the midst of storms. Faith doesn’t grow when we are walking in His perfect peace. Faith grows as we face doubts, challenges, difficulties, worries, anxieties, fears, and the everyday ups and downs of life. Faith grows when we are overwhelmed by life and have to trust in Him to see us THROUGH.

            While we prefer to walk with Him in the sunshine and rainbows, He prefers to see our faith and trust grow THROUGH the storms of life. God has us in our church families so we can be there for each other. He knows we need to lean on each other to get through the many challenges that we will all face. In the midst of those times we can watch our faith and trust in Him grow. He will provide places to rest and be refreshed along the way. Ultimately, He wants us to find His peace and presence as we go THROUGH the storms of life.

            I want to encourage you whether you find yourself in a storm or a place of peace and rest to put your faith and trust in God. Remember when Jesus was with the disciples in the boat when they experienced a violent storm. What happened? He stood up and said, “Peace, Be Still.” The wind and the waves obeyed Him. The important point is that He was with them THROUGH the storm. He will be with you and me as we navigate our way through our storms. He is growing our faith and trust and He will not let us down. He will see us THROUGH!  

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

All Sickness Go

by   March 13, 2026 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Exodus 23:25  Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you,

  • So easily we take for granted all the blessings and provisions and protection of our Lord.
  • When we worship Him and put Him first in our lives we can look to Him for provision and healing.
  • He will take away sickness – men have medical, but God supersedes all our abilities and does wonders.

Prayer:  Lord I look to You in this time that You will help us and deliver us in this nation from decease and the world from all sickness that You bring health back to this world and show great mercy and grace Lord.  I thank You for it in Jesus name.  Amen.
 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

What’s Ahead & Tips

by   March 12, 2026 with No Comments

By David Freeze

What’s Ahead and Some Tips I’ll Share

       Our local beginning runners class kicks off this week on Tuesday, March 10th, at 6pm. We meet at the Salisbury Police Department at Lee and Liberty where participants will enter at the front door.  Eight weeks of class, while learning about all things running, and a run each week together from a half mile the first night to 3.1 miles on graduation evening. There is still time to join us and all you have to do is arrive a little before 6pm at the PD with a bottle of water, your running shoes and a pen. We will run together on Tuesdays, but participants will have their own training plan for the rest of the week. Spring is a great time to go running!

     Cost is $65, which includes the class, a training dri-fit shirt, a free year of Salisbury Rowan Runners membership and one free 5K race once the class is complete. Spring classes are always fun as the daylight gets longer and warmer.

    Rowan’s first race for March is on the 21st. The Wipe Out Colorectal Cancer 5K starts at Overton Elementary at 9am and as runners and walkers finish, the scene shifts to to Rowan Diagnostic Clinic at 611 Mocksville Avenue for the kids’ fun run and the post-race celebration. All overall and age group awards will be presented here.

   Wipe Out Colorectal Cancer Race Director Leesa Reynolds said, “We invite you to participate in our upcoming 5K walk/run dedicated to the prevention of colorectal cancer. This event aims to raise funds to support individuals who may not otherwise have access to lifesaving colonoscopy screenings. Through our partnerships with The Andretti Foundation and The Community Care Clinic, we are able to provide critical financial assistance for patients in need. Over the past year, our efforts have helped several individuals receive essential preventive care and early treatment services. Colorectal cancer remains one of the four most commonly diagnosed cancers. Routine screening colonoscopies are vital for prevention and early detection, significantly improving outcomes. Current medical guidelines recommend beginning screening at age 45 for individuals at average risk. We encourage you to join us in making a meaningful impact in our community. Your participation helps save lives.”

    Next, on Saturday, March 28th, our race will be at Salisbury Community Park. Mt. Hope Church 5K Race Director Belinda Wyatt said, “Why not run our race? It’s a great event; simple but enjoyable. This is our 11th year and we continues to grow each year. Our staff is excellent, not to mention the staff from Salisbury Rowan Runners. Rumor has it that the runners like the course at Salisbury Community Park. We have new medallions and I’m super excited about our shirt this year.  The last few years we have been able to give away small prizes to the runners, and this year is no exception. Our runners are fantastic; I always enjoy seeing those faces that continue to come out and support our cause and the conversations are always enjoyable as well. All proceeds go to church missions.”

    About a month ago, I picked up a pair of the new Brooks Glycerin 23. After all my years of running, even those on much faster legs, I absolutely love these shoes! The cushioning in the forefoot and not too tight toe box makes the difference for me and I think this is the best shoe I remember. My memory of various running shoes goes all the way back to 1979 when I got my very first pair specifically for running. Make sure that the shoe is right for your foot first at Ralph Baker Shoes.

     As we transition into daylight savings time and warmer temperatures, make sure to focus on good hydration. It is the biggest single factor in having a good workout. Simply make sure your pee is clear at the start of your workout and you’ll be a step ahead.

    Look for these and other events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Gotta’ Run: What’s ahead and some tips I’ll share
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