What would you do? You discover an error that changes…everything. Steve Hartman tells a story of true sportsmanship. You gotta see it to believe it. ENJOY!!!
Sportsmanship!
October 14, 2025
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Thankful for Wasps and Fleas
October 12, 2025
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By Ashlie Miller
“I’m very thankful for the wasp nests that were on our dryer vent,” my husband said at the dinner table this week as we all thought back on the busy week (and it was only Wednesday). We all nodded in agreement. We have something called a “graticube,” a wooden hexagonal cube with gratitude prompts to encourage positive family discussions gathered around the table.
Earlier in the day, a dryer vent cleaner company inspected our vent system. Our biggest concern was the wasp nest we could see building just outside the attic. We noticed it at the end of last winter but were assured by others that the wasps likely died out and would not come back to this nest. However, we began noticing wasps again recently.
After attempting to remedy this ourselves (thanks to Google and YouTube), we finally called in the professionals. We learned that our issue was bigger than wasp nests (yes, plural, they discovered). The central hose leading out evidently had not adequately been installed, then disconnected sometime since we moved in, resulting in a heavy dusting of – you guessed it – lint dust!
While we certainly were not delighted with the estimate for repair and cleanup, we understood why my husband was thankful for the wasp nests. They could have chosen any spot around our home and wooded back yard, but chose the one place that had a bigger issue that needed our attention.
It reminded me of Corrie ten Boom’s story about fleas. For those unfamiliar, her family, who were watchmakers, famously hid Jews in their home during the German occupation in the Netherlands to protect them from arrest and being sent to prison and concentration camps. Eventually, Corrie’s family, including her sister Betsie, was sent to Ravensbrücke – a concentration camp with filthy, overcrowded barracks. Things were very bleak, but the sisters secretly shared portions of the Bible with their many bunkmates, an act and book completely forbidden. Still, finding things to offer praise and gratitude for was minimal.
In the midst of their intense suffering, Betsie reminded her sister that they should be grateful in all circumstances, a challenge Corrie found impossible with the brutality of the soldiers, worse than poor living conditions, and the bleakness of the situation that offered no hope. Corrie reminded her sister that even their mattresses were full of fleas and lice. “I simply cannot be grateful for fleas and lice,” she said. Betsie responded, “But you must.” A short time later, they learned that the reason the guards never visited their overcrowded room was that they were disgusted by the prospect of catching lice or fleas. Who knows how many women received hope and encouragement through the gospel because of this blessed misfortune?
So, there’s a challenge for the coming week – what minor annoyance (in the grand scheme of things) actually was for your good or a blessing to others? Can you see where God permitted things that are ultimately results of our broken and fallen world to draw your attention to bigger issues or a greater blessing?
Ashlie Miller counts her wasps, er, blessings with her family in Concord, NC. You may email her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.
Testing Us
October 11, 2025
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By Doug Creamer
Testing Us
I enjoy my job at the community college where I am helping students earn their high school equivalency. There are four tests students must pass in order to earn their diploma. Students have to become proficient in language arts, math, science, and social studies. We have daytime classes in person and online. There is also an online evening program. We push the students to grow in their knowledge and skills so they can pass the tests and graduate.
We have some practice tests to help students prepare for their testing experience. Nerves can get in the way. Sometimes students struggle with the tests. We are there to encourage and support them through the process. It is so exciting to see our students pass tests and achieve success.
Despite all the instruction and preparation, sometimes our students come up a little short on the tests. It’s hard for them and we feel it too. We sit down with them and work on areas that need reinforcing. We have been seeing some great success with our students. It is very rewarding when students pass their tests. The excitement spreads like wildfire to the other students.
When it comes down to it, most of us don’t like tests, especially medical tests. The reality is that we will all face a variety of different tests in life. Some will come out good while others will prove to be challenging. It’s okay to admit that you are scared or don’t like change. We have to own up to our weaknesses and develop strategies for improvement. With faith, grace, and change we will push through and overcome.
Tests and changes reach beyond the classroom to our professional lives. Teachers and doctors take tests to maintain their licenses. Most professionals that require state licenses will require professional development and often tests. It’s hard to avoid being tested.
I believe that God is in the testing business, too. God wants to know if we trust Him. The best way for Him to figure that out is to put us in situations where we have to trust Him. When we can lean on Him and believe that He has our best interests at heart, He knows that we trust Him. Can we walk through difficult circumstances while trusting God?
One specific way is to see if we believe God is our provider. He will allow circumstances in our lives that will test us to see if we believe that God will provide for us. Our bank accounts may not sustain us through a financial crisis, but will we trust God or lean on our own understanding? I have seen God come through for us so many times and provide in what seemed to me to be miraculous ways. Don’t think that I didn’t struggle with doubt and worry…I failed those tests…but I have seen God’s faithfulness time after time.
God also wants to know if we will be obedient when we are facing odds that are against us. In the Bible, we are told of huge armies that came against Israel. God would tell the people what to do if they wanted to see victory. One time, they sent the musicians in front of the army. Another time, they marched around Jericho for seven days and then God made the city walls come crashing down. And a young boy named David defeated a giant with a small stone. Have you ever faced insurmountable odds and seen God come through for you?
God knows that the only way to grow your faith muscles is to test them and stretch them. He has to give you chances to trust and lean on Him in order for you to turn to Him in your challenging moments. He wants to come through for you and confirm in you the depth of His love for you. He wants to prove to you that He has an eye on your situation and that He knows every detail. There is no need to worry or live in fear because He’s got you.
I want to encourage you to trust in God with every circumstance or situation you are facing. He has a plan that is unique for you. He sees you on the other side. He knows how you will find victory and build a deeper faith and trust in Him. He hasn’t forsaken you. He is walking with you through your situation. There is nothing too difficult for Him. You will overcome because He made you to be an overcomer. He wants to build a testimony in your life to His goodness. So let the tests come, you will pass them one by one.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
Letting Go
October 10, 2025
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By Roger Barbee
The other morning I was scratching the grey-haired head of Nolan, my wife’s hound dog who found her twelve years ago at the county animal shelter. I talked to him as we humans like to do and scratched his head and behind his large hound dog ears, and something about the time caused me to remember Fred, a cocker type black dog that I found wounded under the house in which I lived while a sophomore in college. He had been hit by a car and his left back leg was damaged. After coaxing him out from under the house, I took him to a local veterinarian who repaired the long-ago damaged leg as best as possible. However, for the rest of his life Fred walked with a distinctive limp, but his damaged leg never kept him from living a full, rich, and loving life. As I remember, I kept him for the rest of that school year, and he went home with me for the summer. After those few months living with my younger sister and mother, he decided not to return to the college, but to stay with them and live their way. While he and I shared times together when I came home on vacations after that, he was now their dog, and when I left my hometown to begin a career, he remained where he had chosen to be. So, when I thought of him on that recent morning, I asked my sister to fill in the gaps of his life with them.
“You know,” she said, “after you went back to school, Fred became my dog. Yes, he and mother liked each other, but until I enrolled in Western Carolina, he was mine. But, after I went to college, he and mother formed a special bond because they both were now alone. She worked the second shift then, but they shared each day, and he stayed awake until she got home after her shift in the mill. He would ride with us when she drove me back to Western, and when he heard the mailman step onto the porch, he thought it was me coming home for a visit and would run to the front door. But, the most remarkable thing about mother and Fred was his leaving.
“He was not blind, but he could see only shapes. For instance, often he would mistake the white bathtub for the storm-glassed door and wanting out, he would walk into it, mistaking the white porcelain for the light of the door. Like us all, he aged, and mother sensed that his life was ending. For three nights she stayed home from work, but eventually had to return to her shift. But each night of that time, when she got home, she would sit on the floor and hold him in her lap, they loving each other as they had for their years. But, he grew worse, and one morning when she let him out the back door, he would pause on each step and look back towards her, then step to the next and look back. Finally, out of steps, he looked back one last time to her, hearing her tell him it was okay, before he crawled under those steps to die. Later that morning she called the mill refuge department telling the man who answered how there was a dead dog under her back steps. Could he come and remove it?
“You may not understand, brother, but I see mother’s act of letting her beloved Fred go the way he wanted as a courageous and loving act. As she had always done in her life, mother knew that she had done her best with Fred over the years and even now, so she had no regrets. He wanted to go his way, and she let him, no matter her pain with his choice.
“That’s what happened to Fred, and I hope when Nolan’s time comes, he will be given as much grace as was Fred. No dog’s last day should be his worse.”
The Joy of the Daily Run
October 9, 2025
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By David Freeze
The Joy of the Daily Run and a Few Tips
The heat and humidity of recent early morning runs have been a challenge for sure. I get up early and check a small weather station, but it doesn’t matter much what it says. I’m going for a run shortly afterwards and I’m excited! Granted, I have more reason to be excited about the daily run than most. Eleven months ago, I couldn’t run but I desperately wanted to. My broken spine wouldn’t allow it.
On Tuesday morning, I celebrated a breeze at 5:30am. Wednesday out the door had 67 degrees. The still very high humidity seemed less oppressive because of that joyful breeze and cooler morning. The soaked air and building fog of recent mornings continues. I ran east and then south for the first three miles, just so I could run back into the north breeze and savor the cooling effects for the rest of six miles. Little things!
But little things bring the most joy on a daily run. In late August, we have lots of super dark mornings at 5:30am. Good for views of the stars and the moon. I keep reading about the occasional meteor showers, but it seems we never get the big ones here. But any falling star is magical to me. I make a wish and follow it with a prayer while still running.
Out here in the country, we don’t get a lot of traffic early, but I see many of the same cars each day. I can’t be sure since I can only see their headlight patterns. Sometimes, they forget to dim their lights but more likely I will get a light horn tap of recognition. I enjoy waving back.
Get a good watch and soon you will know exactly what the time, pace and distance of your run is and likely a few other things worth noting. I don’t take time to analyze all the data, but the big three of time, pace and distance matter. I have been running almost daily for over 46 years, and I still get excited to turn on the watch each morning. The best watches suggest a workout and I also get excited when it suggests a rest day just before I click dismiss so we can go start the run.
Even if you don’t run or walk in the super early morning like I do, wear good shoes and bright clothing. Good shoes don’t come from the big box stores, the best of them are in the stores where people know and specialize in running shoes. My favorite quote is “Don’t go to a store where the guy who sold shotguns yesterday then gets assigned to running shoes today.” Every runner or walker needs a good analysis of their feet and when done, you’ll be glad you did. Ralph Baker Shoes has the experts locally.
The bright clothing matters. Be seen if you run/walk on the roads or sidewalks, or even in the parks. Wear bright shirts and reflective gear to increase your chances of being seen even if the driver is distracted. Let someone know your route and vary it so you won’t be predictable.
Use that good watch to help yourself set and monitor goals. With good data, use it to challenge yourself.
On the flatter ground past a mile, I usually enjoy kicking the pace up a notch. Some days, I can’t but I almost always try. Every run will be different and some of the best ones will be a surprise. The poor ones make you fitter and help you celebrate the better days.
You’ll finish with a good sweat, better clarity and confidence and maybe a few problems solved. For sure, if you run in the morning, you’ll be ready to take on the day.
We are ready to start the fall Beginning Runners Class on Thursday, September 4th at the Salisbury PD. We have plenty of room, wonderful speakers and encouragers. The temperatures will get cooler as the class continues for eight weeks. For more information and how to sign up, or for other event info, go to www.salisburyrowanrunners.org
Lynna’s T
October 8, 2025
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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!
Grief – Healing After Loss
October 7, 2025
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Steve Hartman shares how one family deals with the loss of their family pet. A great lesson on grief. ENJOY!!!
Living Proof
October 6, 2025
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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
October 5, 2025
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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
October 4, 2025
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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