Being Happy

by   November 28, 2025 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

  • So often it feels not to be rejoicing or excited when we have so many challenges but;
  • There is strength and power in praise and rejoicing.
  • To rejoice in God and the Lord, because He never changes, He is our strength.

Prayer:  Lord I choose and I live to worship You and to rejoice today, I lift my hands in excitement and rejoicing to You because You are God regardless of what I am going through or what surrounds me, You are my strength.  Amen.

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

The Good & Bad of Stress and Running

by   November 27, 2025 with No Comments

By David Freeze

The good and bad of stress and running

   I have written many times that running is an effective and immediate stress-reducing activity. I look for running to provide the best mental therapy while helping me solve my problems and cure just about anything.  Running, and good short of breath exercise, can give us clarity of thought, induce the release of feel-good hormones, can increase energy levels, change your body shape, and make us stronger. The list goes on and I am a big believer.  

  But what happens when running becomes just another stressor? Some runners suddenly just can’t get out of the front door because life is too busy. They are already exhausted and running becomes just another thing to do on a long list of other responsibilities. And what if on top of that you feel that you are just stuck in the mud, you can’t seem to make any progress to get faster or improve at all.

   Stress can be a good thing, and the body can take stress. The body and mind are quite resilient, and, in some cases, stress can help improve running performance, I have had nights of fitful sleep with something on my mind, then found it amazing that the early morning run was fantastic and my worrisome problems were solved. The increase in heart rate at the start of a run can help us feel alive and excited, this adrenalin can help make for a great run if harnessed the right way. A few nerves when beginning the next training run might help you run up that certain hill or enable you to run a little bit faster. The best races usually result following some nerves at the start line. 

   However, don’t underestimate how stress from other areas of your life can prevent the body from performing and recovering. Stress is stress, the body doesn’t make much difference between physical stress, emotional stress, psychological stress. Your body doesn’t recognize the difference between a hard training session or whether you’ve got enough money to pay the bills.  When the body fights back with raised cortisol levels, this can often make us feel as if our own brain is adding to the problem. Short term, that is probably OK, but this type of stress in the long term is never good. Worry, anxiety, pressure with work, in fact all forms of stress can cause fatigue, illness, sleep problems and irritability eventually.

     I have had a very good last year following my own return to running after the back accident. But with that, I have set the bar at the self-imposed level of completing 2,000 miles for 2025. That was my normal minimum for the last ten years prior to the accident, but for sure it is more important this year in my quest to return to normal.

  No one would question that we need to be motivated to accomplish our goals, but would you recognize that it’s also possible to be so consumed to succeed that this motivation can itself add stress and get in the way of any success? For me, the daily, monthly and yearly miles matter maybe too much because I am a goal setter, so any day for the rest of the year is subject to the distraction of completing the miles. My real goal should be not to cause more stress just to get the miles. We’ll see how that goes.

      Next week’s Thanksgiving Day Butterball 5K at The Forum is one of Salisbury’s most anticipated races of the year. Nationally, more races are held on Thanksgiving than any other day all year. Imagine a bunch of excited runners and walkers who want to get their exercise and burn some calories, do it quickly, gather any awards earned and head off then to the rest of the day festivities. It is a high energy event, full of fun and well worth contributing all proceeds to the Terrie Hess House and Prevent Child Abuse Rowan.

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

Gotta’ Run: The good and bad of stress and running

Just a Moment

by   November 26, 2025 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

For years my tagline has read, “Only a minute, but eternity is in it.” So many times a life changing Truth comes in a tiny golden nugget. For instance, this quote from one of my favorite authors came like a small but delicious caramel. Have you tried those soft ones by Werther’s that are covered in chocolate? Yum. Sorry I can’t share my stash with you, but here’s this.

“Gratitude always leaves us looking at God and away from dread. It does to anxiety what the morning sun does to valley mist. It burns it up.” *

For instance: Instead of dreading the holidays because without David everything will be sad and different, I’ve begun giving thanks for all that the Lord has blessed me with. I’ve found that when I do that, my anxiety is replaced with thoughts of baking pumpkin bread, or making a list of gifts to search out for my loved ones. I didn’t say it was easy. In fact I think it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. But! I still have so much!

Gratitude: Scripture is so laced with it that I’m having a hard time choosing the best verse. Let’s go with this one:

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” -Colossians 3:17

Your kindness to me during this terrible time of grief has been amazing. Can I ask you for one more thing? Hold my hand and walk with me. Together let’s choose thankfulness over dread, and watch with amazement as God burns away our anxiety like sun on the morning dew.

*God Will Carry You Through by Max Lucado

Flexing the Gratitude Muscle

by   November 23, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but there was a time when I did not express gratitude as I should. It was not because we were lower middle class (or were we upper lower class?) and did not have many possessions. We had what we needed plus a little, and even a poor church mouse can be cheery and worship with gratitude. Although we often look down upon the youth of today and their sense of entitlement, I think there were plenty of us who took things for granted – that what we needed or desired would be provided. Full stop. 

Thankfully, some mentors in my life who bore with me – a teenager with 90s angst – continued to pour into me, treating me to meals, unexpected shopping trips, or other times together. When one young mom took me for an afternoon treat, I remember it was not until after I had made it back home that I realized I had not even thanked her for making time for me. Gratitude is like a muscle to work. When we do not practice it, it atrophies. Though I had learned to worship God in the church, I had not exercised gratitude in the marketplace and in my daily life. I was really weak in that area. Thankfully, that moment became a turning point. 

Fast forward – for years, my mother had inexpensive, vinyl tablecloths adorning her Thanksgiving tables along with Sharpies for guests to write notes of their reflections on the last year and why they were thankful this year. We can see the progress over time of grandchildren and the seasons of life of each family unit. Hand-tracings, sometimes shaped into a turkey, represent the hands that are too little to write. There are notes from those who were guests that year, many of whom have now passed away, making the $5 tablecloth invaluable. 

You may have your own gratitude tradition – a decorative stick tree with paper leaves marking thanks; a journal filled in by family members; social media posts expressing reflections throughout the month; circling the room to share testimonies. It can also be much more subdued, with taking a moment for one person to say grace while looking back at what the family as a whole has come through that year. 

As previously mentioned, five different Thanksgiving gatherings await my family this year. As a Christian, I am aware that Sundays are not the only day to worship. Nor is Thanksgiving the only special day for expressing gratitude, but intentional gatherings marked by thanks can effectively set us up for a rhythm of offering praise to our Provider. 

My youngest child often loves to end a meal with a gratitude game we play. He delights in getting it out for us. I am sure part of it is childlike delight in playing a game with the family, but the result is practicing praise. If gratitude is a muscle to exercise, I am excited to see how strong my children could be if they continue to work this routine of thankfulness. 

You may be approaching the coming week as just another full week of gatherings. That could be all it is for you. The idea of exercising anything in a week of total consumption is not inviting. What if you practice exercising your gratitude before your gatherings? What difference could what you give (thanks) make in your personal takeaway for the holiday ? 

Thankful

by   November 22, 2025 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Thankful

            Fall chores can sure keep me busy. I worked on getting up the leaves in my yard over the weekend, but by Monday afternoon you would never know it. I know it will soon come to an end, but it can sure be frustrating to not feel any sense of accomplishment. There are still a number of other chores that need to be done before winter sets in. On top of that, it’s time to start decorating for Christmas.

            I was talking with a group of friends about when they begin decorating for the holidays and there is no consensus. While many people wait to put their tree up until after Thanksgiving, there are some who have their tree up and decorated already. My neighbors and I try to have our outside decorations up by the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I won’t start putting up our tree until at least the first weekend in December.

            This hectic rush towards Christmas bothers me because it feels like we are skipping Thanksgiving. There are Christmas movies playing on TV. There is Christmas music playing in the stores. Many people are laser focused on Christmas. I think it is important for us to slow down and give thanks to God for the many blessings in our lives.

            I’m thankful for the beautiful fall that we have enjoyed this year. We had that one cold shot that netted us a few snow flurries. Other than that, we have enjoyed some wonderful fall weather. The good weather has allowed me to get quite a bit of work done outside, which always feels great. I have also really enjoyed the beautiful fall foliage. 

            Giving thanks for the everyday stuff can help improve your outlook on life. Sometimes life gets hard and we lose focus on the good things that are happening around us every day. It’s easy to get distracted by the news or the political backbiting. Take a moment and look around you at all the ways God has blessed you. A thankful heart can change your perspective, especially in challenging times.

            Have you got a roof over your head? Do you have a bed to sleep in? Do you have food on your table? Do you have nice clothes to wear? There are people in Ukraine, Palestine, and Jamaica, just to name a few places, who don’t have these simple basics for life. Turn your heart to God right now and let him know how grateful you are for life’s basics.

            Have you thanked God for the people in your life? We never know how long anyone has on this earth. This is the first year we will celebrate Thanksgiving without my Dad. It gives me a deeper appreciation for my family. We should be thankful when we get the opportunity to spend time with the people who mean so much to us. It doesn’t matter if it’s family, neighbors, or friends. We should engage and enjoy every chance we get to be together.   

            Have you thanked God for your church family? I have been fortunate to have good church families all through my life. I love my church family. We have a great men’s group at my church. My church family has been and will be there for me when I face difficult times and I will be there for them too. We are blessed with a good pastor who truly shepherds our church family.

            While good food it is not the most important part of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the many delicious treats that I will be enjoying this Thanksgiving. The good food often stirs great memories of years gone by. I remember other gatherings and the efforts people made to come together through rain, snow, and ice to celebrate and share special times together. Holiday food traditions stir the warmth and the love that should fill our hearts with thanks.

            I want to encourage you to steal a few moments of quiet and thank the Lord for your many blessings. Good food, family, friends, a place to call home, and good health are all great places to begin your thanksgiving prayers. A thankful heart will change your perspective on whatever situation you find yourself in this year. Remember God is good in spite of your circumstances and that He has blessed you in so many ways. God painted me a beautiful sunset this evening that took my breath away while I was walking. Don’t let the world push you around. Take time to notice God’s goodness and faithfulness in your life and give Him thanks. Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings to you and your family!

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

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