Crazy

by   May 7, 2024 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

Do you ever get the impression that the world has gone completely crazy? Wisdom has left the building… the whole planet for that matter. I happened upon a comforting thought yesterday in the little book of Ephesians. Listen to this:

Speaking of Christ Jesus, it says. “Now He is far above any ruler, or authority, or power, or leader, or anything else- not only in this world, but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ.” -from Ephesians 1: 21,22

Apparently, I can rest in His wisdom. HE is in charge. I am not. Neither is anyone else really, no matter their title. This is not a political statement. It’s just a reminder from a Biblical point of view. Jesus Christ is above all earthly authority. Perhaps I should trust Him.

This is My Story

by   May 6, 2024 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

This is my story

This is my story. This is my song. Praising my Savior. All the day long.

The choir director would be flapping his arms all around.

When we got to the word ALL on the last verse, he held his arms up and we would stretch out and hold AAAA-LLLL as long as his arms were in the air.

Now, I occasionally still hear that song at church, so in my mind, I always stretch out the word ALL as we sing!

Why?

Because ALL is one of my favorite words.

Why?

Because ALL means ALL.

Not just some of the day, but ALL of the day!

Yes, I was supposed to praise my Savior ALL the day!

How was I supposed to do that?

At the time, as a teenager, I had a secret life that made me feel less worthy in the eyes of those at my church – or so I thought. I had problems. My days were certainly NOT 24 hours a day praise worthy – or so I thought.

After church on Sunday night, I would go home to a father who had been drinking.

It was my secret life and I was ashamed.

I was jealous of the others in my youth group.

They went home to perfect families – or so I thought.

When I went home, I took fear with me.

I carried fear into my home, and took fear to bed with me.

I would lay there with my eyes open, hoping that sleep would come.

But I knew that at some point, my father would be drinking and begin fussing at my mother.

It was a small mill house and I could hear every word.

I was scared.

I began to stay after school to help my teachers grade papers.

I wanted to stay at school ALL the day long.

Coincidence? No.

It was a God-incidence.

God was preparing me for a lifetime of teaching.

How are we supposed to praise our Savior all day long?

Guess what? It is as easy – because Jesus gives us joy – no matter our circumstance.

It is easy because Satan has no power over us – for we are children of God.

It is easy because we have access to grace.

It is easy because we are justified by faith.

It is easy because we can speak the name of Jesus – and He hears us!

I have a powerful testimony.

It is hard for me to understand how I was able to touch my Savior at a young age and how Jesus removed my fear and replaced it with peace – even in the middle of the night.

Your story is just as powerful – no matter whether it was full of trouble or whether you never had a problem.

Share your story.

Ask someone to share their story with you.

Sharing our story or hearing someone else’s story lifts us up spiritually.

It increases our faith.

Maybe your story is this, “I don’t really have a story. I always went to church. I grew up in a Christian home.”  Guess what? That is a great story! Share it. Offer hope.

Go home  to your friends and tell them the great things the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. Mark 5:19

Sure, going to a foreign country to share Jesus is powerful – but we must also share Jesus in our homeland. The need is great.

“This is my story. This is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long…”

The next time you sing this in church – sing  the word ALL extra loudly – just for me.

It’s Not Easy Being Green

by   May 5, 2024 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

While many colors flood the landscape in spring, green may be the most welcome color – the lushness of life after the grays of winter, the sweetness of new baby grass, and flowering trees turning green, ready to embrace summer. Although blues are my favorite hues, greens are a close second. Some studies on color indicate that being surrounded by this secondary color can also refresh our mental health. 

As positively as green is viewed in nature, often it does not get the same treatment when it comes to people we view as green – inexperienced, immature, maybe naive. Certainly, the green of youth is a right of passage. Dues must be paid, after all. It is unfortunate, though, when we who are slightly more seasoned pass judgment on their vigor and passion with an air of condescension. There is so much joy and life to share and to glean when surrounded by “green.” 

For example, my husband and I attended a wonderful retreat at The Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove in Asheville, NC, last week. We enjoyed gathering with other church planters and sending churches to be equipped and encouraged. A talented and passionate young worship team led a crowd of mostly not young leaders in songs of reflection, worship, and praise. 

One song from their set was a popular modern worship anthem that we sang several times, often with our vision blurred from trails of tears:

I trust in God, my Savior

The one who will never fail

He will never fail

He didn’t fail you then 

He won’t fail you now

I sought the Lord, and He heard, and He answered

That’s why I trust Him.”

Moved by those truths in their own lives, these green worship leaders resonated with the message of their songs. How does a twenty-something know these truths? I can remember. I remember being on a worship team at that age, never imagining what God has for me now (which is NOT twenty-something). I remember the early days of marriage, the cancer journey of a spouse, the need for material provision, emotional comfort in distress, guidance for the journey, and how God was faithful then and is faithful now. 

It moved my spirit to see an auditorium of fellow believers who could each testify to the same truths, even if in different situations and stages of life. I hoped that just as the young team ministered to us, our worship and remembrance of God’s faithfulness also ministered to them, encouraging them for their uncharted unknowns. 

Last fall, I encouraged you to spend time with someone in the autumn of their lives. This season, I encourage you to spend regular time with someone in the spring of their life. Surely, you have wisdom to share, but some green, bright young men and women have a passion that can also invigorate and encourage you! We need each other. 

Ashlie Miller enjoys the beauty of green in nature and in young friends. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com

Growing Season

by   May 4, 2024 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            I recently had the opportunity to help my mother get her garden planted. At her age she has a hard time getting back up once she is kneeling. My brother took her shopping for “a few” vegetables. She wasn’t planning to do much this year. I lost count of how many tomato plants I put out. She also has peppers, squash, and cucumbers. She loves to grow things.

            I had a great feeling inside while driving home that evening. The closer I got to home the more this little thought started to whirl around in my mind. “Well, your Mom has her garden in and you don’t have anything in the ground yet.” The thought was spoiling my good feeling.

            I had a long list of things that needed my attention on Friday, and none of them was my garden. Saturday I was determined to make it to the garden center to find the seeds and plants I need to get my garden going. I went to my two favorite garden centers and found most of what I need for this growing season.

            I went out to the garden pretty late in the afternoon, determined I was going to get something in the ground before dark. It was unusually peaceful. The barking dogs were either in the house or asleep in the shade. There was a nice breeze blowing. The soil felt wonderful in my hands. I had tilled the soil a few weeks ago and it was in perfect condition. The first thing I put in was my tomatoes, which made me laugh because I normally plant them last. I put in some potatoes and peas and that was the end of my daylight.

            I came in the house feeling good. The garden was started. I can see the tomato plants from the house. I know there is plenty more to do out there but I got things started. I picked up the remaining seeds and plants today so I have everything that I am planning to put out. It looks like I may have to dodge a few showers this weekend to get the rest of the garden in.

            I am excited about the new gardening season and anxious to get it all in. My wife has called me the midnight gardener, and if that is what it takes before the rain this weekend that is what I will do. The soil is calling. I just have to find the time to get out there and do the work. There never seems to be enough time to get everything done, especially in spring and fall.

            I love planting and watching things grow. Sometimes when I get home from work I will go for a walk around the yard just to enjoy the things that are growing and blooming. I like watching the fruit, vegetables, and flowers grow.

 Much like watching my garden grow, I like seeing spiritual growth in my life. There are many different seasons in our spiritual journeys. I have been through a desert and hope never to return. I have been through quiet seasons where I knew I was putting down deeper roots. I have experienced seasons of fruitfulness. I can remember times that I felt like God was pruning me back. But the season I like best is the growing season. I like seeing my spiritual growth. I love when the Word teams with life on every page. Sometimes I only manage to read a couple of paragraphs during my quiet time because I am getting so much out of it.

            While growth and harvesting are probably our favorite spiritual seasons, we have to realize that each season plays an important part in our spiritual growth. We need to grow deep roots so we will endure the dry seasons. We may all love the warm sunshine, but we need the refreshment that comes from the rain showers. Each season is important if we will ultimately produce fruit for His kingdom. After all, He is the master gardener and He knows what we need to produce a bountiful harvest.

            I want to encourage you to enjoy the season God has you in at the moment. There are times that we need to rest in a quiet place so we will be ready for the challenges that lie just ahead. There are times for us to bud and bloom and there are times for us to enjoy a harvest. God is watching over us closely, so He will provide the optimal conditions for us to grow and produce a harvest. I think God takes great pleasure watching each of us grow.

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

The Promise

by   May 3, 2024 with No Comments

                                                                     By Roger Barbee

            Were he alive, Fred Templeton would turn 79 on April 2. However, he died of lung cancer in August 1992–too young for him, his wife, and his two children. A young 51,  he was a fine English teacher at Surrattsville High School where he was also an outstanding coach of soccer and baseball.  He also coached youth soccer, basketball, and softball in the Rec League of Alexandria, where he lived.  As a teacher at St. Stephens/St. Agnes, the school his children attended, I casually knew Fred and his wife Sarah, but when his son Michael  enrolled in my freshman English class, he and I forged a bond cemented around Leslie Norris’ short story Shaving.

            During the late 1980’s, I had good results teaching Norris’ Shaving, the story of 17-year-old Barry whose father is dying from cancer. Coming home from a rugby match, Barry is told by his mother that his father, lying in the family dining room turned into a sick room, is uncomfortable because of his unshaven face. After drinking a glass of milk, Barry announces to his mother, “I’ll shave him.” He does, and in such a way that all students who read the story are moved in profound ways. Because of the positive results, I always taught Shaving until the news spread around school about Fred’s cancer. For the school year of 1991-’92, I chose not to use Shaving because Michael would be in my class, and I thought that would be too difficult for him. That year the school community watched in awe as Fred, who had taken a leave of absence from Surrattsville, continued to coach his Rec League teams while showing us how to live life at its fullest.  However, as he lived and battled, the cancer advanced in such a manner that in late August, 1992, as preparations for the coming school year were being made, the news spread that Fred was home, the family dining room having been turned into his sick room, and that if any of us at school wanted to see him, we should come quickly as his lungs were filling with fluid, and his death was imminent. My friend and fellow administrator, Roger Bowen, asked me to accompany him to visit Fred on a hot, late August morning. I declined, not wanting to see Fred in such a state. Little did I know, but when Roger Bowen returned from his visit with Fred and his

family, he gave me an envelope and said, “Fred asked me to give you this.” Asking him what it was, he answered, “I don’t know, it’s sealed.” Going to my office, I opened the envelope and saw a copy of Shaving, and a note in Sarah’s hand that read, “Fred wants you to have a copy of this story, one of his favorites.” Stunned, I immediately called her asking for a chance to see Fred, which she managed to give me that afternoon.

            Going into their townhouse, I saw Fred lying in the hospital bed that had been placed in what had been the dining room, just like in the story. I told him my story about Shaving and how I had chosen not to use it for Michael’s year in my class, and he told me how, when Michael had begun to give him his shots for pain, he was reminded of a story he had taught long ago. He sent his family looking through all his books, and his sister had found it, Shaving. Liking it, he wanted me to have a copy. As my time with Fred waned, I promised him that I would always teach Shaving and asked him if he had a particular date that he would like. He said, “Teach it today, the day I died.” I reminded him that school was not in session in late August, but then asked him when his birthday was. “April 2,” he answered. We then agreed on the teaching of Shaving on each April 2 and since it was his birthday, as the story was being read, cake would be served to the students. So, every April, since 1993, cake has been served while students listen to my reading of Shaving. That first year, his daughter Kate sat in my class, ate cake, and heard the story that is so much like her father and brother.

            In April 2005 I ran across a reference to Leslie Norris, who was living and teaching in the Midwest. I emailed him my account of his story and he responded, telling me that as a young boy growing up in Wales, he had shaved his father who was dying from cancer. He told how he had put off writing the story, but finally did. His father’s birthday was April 5, so since 2005 I have felt as if I read it for both fathers and their sons. It is a promise.         

The Police Chief

by   May 2, 2024 with No Comments

By David Freeze

I wasn’t surprised at all that running remains a big part of Patrick Smith’s life as Salisbury’s police chief. He started running in late 2000 as part of his regular workout routine at the J.F. Hurley YMCA, using his lunch break to run a mile or two on the treadmill before weightlifting.

Smith said, “Once I started training to become a police officer, I got exposed to running outside and thought to myself that I can see so much more running outside versus a treadmill. I have not been on a treadmill since. Then around 2016, my daughter started running cross country for Carson High School, so I picked up my running and began running more competitively. My first race was the Santa 5K at Millbridge and it will remain one of my favorites.”

Older now and with competitive days behind him, Smith continued, “I still run for mental wellness and to break up my day. I don’t run as fast and may occasionally run a 5K, but I am not chasing any records. If only a few people sign up, I will stand a chance at winning a medal. When I competed, I ran five days a week: speed day, track day, medium-pace long run, and fartleks (a form of speed work). Sundays were easy 11-12-mile runs. Now, I run around 3.5 to 4 miles three to four days a week at a relaxing pace just to clear my headspace. I try to run on my lunch break because I am not a morning person, but if I can’t get my run during lunch, I run in the evenings at home since the time change.”

Almost a native, Smith has lived in Salisbury and Rowan County for 50 years after moving here at 3 months old. He has three surviving children, all in college or who have completed college, the youngest starting law school at Campbell Law this coming fall. He has been married to his rock and best friend for 17 years.

When asked about his running with the demanding schedule as police chief, Smith said, “Once again, I have to resort back to mental wellness. Running helps to clear my mind and work through my thoughts. Though I have had to change my running schedule daily to meet the job’s demands, I still try to keep up the slow, mind-clearing runs regularly. I may start training to compete again as I age, hoping the older age groups don’t train as hard as I had to 10 years ago. Either way, running is a part of my life, and as long as I can remain upright, I will keep trucking.”

After being diagnosed with stage 3 fibrosis and a fatty liver a few years back, Smith improved his eating, increased his running, and lost 50 pounds in less than six months. Smith said, “Now my bloodwork is normal, and I continue to get good reports from the doctor. There was no magic pill, just commitment and discipline.”

Among Smith’s many interests are Special Olympics and encouraging better health for others, including his police officers.

The Salisbury Police Department partners with Parks and Rec and the Salisbury Rowan Runners to host spring and fall beginning running classes. Smith was instrumental in the PD hosting them and said, “We have been holding the classes for five years and have no plans to stop. All that matters is to take the first step, and after a few months the body craves it.”

The North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run will pass through Salisbury on Wednesday, May 15. Officers from the Salisbury Police Department, Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Highway Patrol, and many other agencies will participate. Starting at Airport Road, then with a brief stop by Bell Tower Green Park, the runners will meet some of the Special Olympics athletes from Rowan County. The torch then proceeds to the Spencer city limits and possibly the Davidson County line where it passes to the Lexington PD.

Smith said, “Come out and cheer us on if you are available. We should be in downtown Salisbury around 11 a.m. or shortly after.”

The TWAM 5K is just ahead on April 26 at First Presbyterian Church, Salisbury’s only evening race.

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

Totally Dependable

by   May 1, 2024 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Psalms 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

  • We can always run to Him, in every circumstances. He will always hide and shield us.
  • A refuge is always a place in a time of difficulty and we ought not to hesitate to run to Him (never from Him).
  • Being a horn of salvation means to be one that will always declare a solution and a victory regardless of how it seems.

Prayer:  Lord I praise You and lift my hands knowing that You have a solution in every situation.  No matter what it looks like, and if it seems hopeless then You have even a better answer than I thought.  I do trust You and leave it in Your hands.  Amen. 
 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Beetles or Monkees

by   April 30, 2024 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

Sitting in a chair in the living room with my legs across the chair arm, holding a clipboard with a full pack of notebook paper underneath the clip and an ink pen in my hand, I would settle in for hours doing something I loved — writing.

I was a sixth grader and I was on tour with the Beatles. We traveled throughout England and then to many other places throughout the world. As Paul McCartney’s girlfriend, I had to endure all the other girls trying to vie for his attention, but he belonged to me. I knew the other Beatles personally, since we were on the road together, but Paul was mine. Every evening, Paul would step up to the microphone and begin singing, “Yesterday — all my troubles seemed so far away — now it looks as though they’re here to stay — oh I believe in yesterday.”

I filled 60 full pages of notebook paper of these daydreams, making sure they were written in blue ink, so they could not be erased and would be saved forever.

I would search through magazines to see the locations throughout the world where they were on tour. No, I did not own the magazines, but I would be dropped off downtown, so I could go to the newsstand (which was a small corner store with magazines in it) and stand there reading the magazines. Many of those magazines included pictures and news about the Beatles.

Most days, I would sneak my notebook paper with my Beatles story on it into my notebook, and take it to school with me just in case I had a few minutes during my school day to pull it out and do some more writing. If not, I could write that evening at home, and if not, I could write in my notebook while sneaking a flashlight under the covers with me.

At times, it was a Hard Day’s Night, but it was always worth it.

A couple of years later, I began touring with the Monkees, since I was then the girlfriend of Davy Jones. Then, I met Herman of Herman’s Hermits, who sang a song to my mother. I think the title was, “Mrs. Miles, you have a lovely daughter.”

It seems pretty funny, I guess. Or maybe just stupid, but honestly, it took me through many days of daydreams and much writing, writing and more writing.

I will never forget one day, after I had been in college for a couple of years, that as I was home for the summer, and I decided to clean out my closet. I threw all my writing away.

I now call that a mistake. After that mistake, my memories of them began to fade.

I mean, how many of you went on tour with the Beatles — and the Monkees?

I did. I’m a Believer.

Looking back, memories of those years seem so limited now. And the fact that the Beatles and the Monkees are part of my memories makes me wonder how many records I listened to each day. (If you do not know what a record is, ask your grandparents.)

What fascinates me is that memories become history.

History is made up of memories. Memories are like blankets that keep us warm.

Though we may not remember days — we will remember moments.

For that, I am so thankful.

Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

I Ask You Give

by   April 29, 2024 with No Comments

By Rhonda Sassano

Father, according to Luke 11, You will not withhold from us when we ask for the Holy Spirit. So Father, in Jesus Name, I ask You to give me the fullness of Your Holy Spirit.  I declare Song of Songs 7:2, “Out of my inmost being is flowing the fullness of Your Spirit—-never failing to satisfy.”  That’s my heart, Father, to be satisfied with Your Presence. To surrender myself completely.  To look to You for every need, every want, every choice, every word.  You promise that when I turn to You with my whole heart, You will be found. So, I take my eyes away from all that holds me back:  all the distress, all the disappointment, all the unfinished dreams, all the lingering hopes . . . I bury the promise in Who You Are. I tuck myself under the shadow and comfort of Your wings. I know You are faithful, and I trust Your work will be good, and it will make me more like You. Help me be still and listen to Your whispers of love… they can be so hard to hear when fear is so loud. Give me courage to simply ignore every other voice that steals my attention. Even now, today, this moment, You are speaking.  You are speaking life to my spirit, health to my body, truth to my mind.  I receive it.  I break up the soil of my heart to let your Words go down deep.  In Jesus name. 

“Clean hands, pure heart 

I bury the promise in Who You are

I tuck myself under the shadow and comfort of Your wing 

You are real and You reward 

I’m strong thru the power of the Word 

You are life and breath to me 

Your face is all I long to see”

This is a prayer I pray over myself, daily, when I remember.  It reminds me what’s important:

Who He is, who I am, What He’s doing.  Because nothing else really truly matters.  (Yeah, that’s oddly disturbing and yet, deeply comforting…) but very, very true.  That’s why when we ask according to His will, we know we have what we ask for.  

Lately, I’ve been praying a simple prayer:  “Help me want what You want, Lord.  Help me want Your will more than anything.”  That’s a prayer He can answer with delight! And I can take comfort that it’s not a “gimme gimme” prayer or one rooted in pride or any other fleshly emotion.  Because His goal is to increase His Presence in my life. And my goal is to let Him!  No matter what it takes.  No matter the rejection or heartache, no matter the changes or losses.  

I want more of Him.  He alone is worth it all. 

With joy,

Rhonda

“God is not looking for those who can but those who will.”

Outside the Path of Totality

by   April 28, 2024 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

A few weeks ago, many sky-watchers cleared either a couple of hours in their day or made a day trip to a nearby state in the path of totality, ready to see the elusive and exclusive solar eclipse. Having experienced the one in 2017 with my family on a day trip to South Carolina, we did not make plans this year – no trips, no special glasses.

However, we pulled out the kitchen colander and looked at the shadows cast by the trees to see the crescent shapes that were unique to this event. There was still that unmatched eeriness in color, light, momentary stillness, and quiet in nature. Neighbors came out on their lawns simultaneously, one couple sharing the cereal box to see the pinhole shadow and a young mother and daughter sharing other observations – a brief moment of standing in awe together. Rather than feeling we missed out for not being in the path of totality, this still provided a sweet moment I will not soon forget.

Can I  keep the same joy and excitement over other things in my life that are only in the 85% completion category? Sometimes, as a mother eager to launch children into the world one day, I can quickly get frustrated when they are not where I want to be in various aspects of their maturity. I want them to be where I am now, or at least where I think I am. That, however, is not always an accurate self-evaluation. I’m afraid I can have an overestimated opinion of myself, like many post-modern humans. 

Thankfully, the voice of reason, often outside the home, will speak words of encouraging observations of how well my children are getting along – reflecting respectful manners to others, their engagement in lessons and sharing thoughtful responses, helpful attitudes of serving others, healthy work ethics, or sharing talents that bring joy to others. 

As I grow and hopefully mature in character and spirit, I easily get frustrated over where I lack – slipping into cynicism or an analytical attitude, trusting others (sometimes even God) to fulfill their word, my impatience, lack of efficiency in a given day. Yet, as I look back, I see I have grown in those areas and others. A card arrives in my mailbox with words of gratitude for my spirit. Another mom at co-op remarks on my “chill, laidback attitude.” My husband gently reminds me that the work I did on a given day was more important than what I planned to do. I sometimes stand agape when I read or hear words like that. They are celebrating my growth while still being incomplete. 

I bet there are areas in your life as well that are worth celebrating – little steps toward significant growth. You likely see it in the lives of others as well. No, they aren’t perfect, but there are changes from who they were. Don’t wait for perfection; you will miss out on beautiful celebrations!

For Christians, those changes and transformations foreshadow what one day will come in eternity. God promises that we will one day be like Jesus. I can’t even begin to imagine that, but what a celebration that will be!

Ashlie Miller and her husband Chad raise their 5 children in Concord, NC. You can contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

1 … 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 … 199