The Red Maple

by   March 21, 2025 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

Death is all around us, but the death happening as I type these lowly words this early spring morning is unnecessary. It is happening because a neighbor is inconvenienced and has the power to create a patio with fire pit and grill less troubled by the roots and seed pods and leaves of a magnificent red maple tree. The man high in the bucket cuts with his chain saw and drops limbs that have taken perhaps thirty or more years to grow, and the modern machine grinds them into a mulch that will leave no history of their shade and vibrant fall colors. As Hopkins wrote of the Binsey Poplars-“Felled, all felled….” The crew of men will be gone in a few hours after removing what took years to become, but no matter-the tree, as my neighbor said, was messy and in the way. In our modern Lake Norman manner, we remove any in our way because we have the resources.

I understand that there are times that trees must be removed because, for instance, they pose a danger to a house foundation or septic system. However, it seems to me that on Isle of Pines Road, many owners are willing to cut any bush or tree that is, in their eyes, a hinderance of some sort. And, the reader may say, the tree belongs to the homeowner, and that is true, but in some way, if we are community, each tree belongs to all of us. In a community, what I do on my little postage stamp of land affects the community, and since that is true, I have an obligation to honor that commitment.

But for me, there is another commitment besides the one to my community on Isle of Pines Road. In my favorite story of creation, it is written: “And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and keep it.” No words such as cut, remove, destroy are here, but words that imply stewardship are.

In 1879 Hopkins wrote these words in his poem Binsey Poplars,  “ O if we but knew what we do/ When we delve or hew —/Hack and rack the growing green!”

To answer Hopkins, yes we think we know what we are doing because in our short sighted decisions, we are believing in the myth that man is in and can control.

What I’ve Learned About Taking Care of my Back

by   March 20, 2025 with No Comments

By David Freeze

What I’ve Learned About Taking Care of My Back

   Since my farming accident and back injury last May 15th, I have learned a lot about recovery and strengthening in an area that I never worried about before. Never had I suffered from back trouble until when I suddenly had trouble moving my legs and couldn’t lift anything at all, yet back pain is the leading cause of work or exercise limitations. About 30% of people suffer from lower back pain annually.

    Here are some things I’ve done. From the first night in the hospital, I have been relentless on using vitamin D-3, magnesium and plenty of calcium through dairy products to strengthen the bones and discs of the spine. I remember my favorite nurse handing me a D-3 5,000 IU tablet before I actually sat on the bed. She said, “You’ll likely be on this the rest of your life!” That suits me as I work to continue healing and strengthening my vertebrae and overall spine.

    We all need to work on strengthening our core muscles, those around the lower back and midsection area. Those muscles need to be strong and supple; yet the last part still needs improvement for me. The lower back stiffness is getting better as I am able to do more things. Use planks, crunches, pelvic tilts, squats and even pushups to strengthen the core area. Core strength brings better balance, stability and confidence on your feet.

    A favorite stretch for most of my adult life has been the knee to chest stretch done before arising in the morning. The spine tends to get out of alignment overnight and by pulling the knees to the chest with a rocking motion, the spine will realign before it goes to work once out of bed. Do that stretch 8-10 times. Another key to a healthy back is sleeping on a firm mattress. Early in my recovery, I spent the night in a motel with a sagging bed so bad that my core area was in a mattress depression that made for a very long night.

     Limiting sitting time helps me a lot as my back stiffens when I am in the chair or driving too long. There are 40 muscles in the lower back and all need to keep moving, A long time standing in the same spot isn’t much better, but it is easier to change positions while standing. Make sure of proper posture, not allowing the stomach and shoulders to sag. It might feel good for a few seconds but not for long.

     Now with concrete and glue in my back that stabilized the most damaged vertebrae, I am careful to avoid stressing the back in severe ways. I need that concrete to last the rest of my life just as it is. Metal is the likely alternative should it fail.

    And finally, I have made sure to stay hydrated and wear good shoes. Hydration is a big factor in any body movement but is important to the cushioning that the discs provide. Quality shoes make sure my feet don’t roll in or out and cushion my impact properly.  I am learning as I go and have made huge improvements over the 518 running miles since my return on November 1st, a day that I will never forget.

     Our SRR, Salisbury Parks and Rec, Novant Health, Salisbury PD Beginning Running Class begins on Tuesday, March 11th at the Salisbury PD. We start at 6pm and welcome anyone who has interest in learning the proper way to run. Yes, there is a proper way, and participants will learn from professionals over the eight-week class. This is a no-stress class which starts at a half mile the first night and graduates will run 3.1 miles eight weeks later.

      Look for more information on the BRC, the upcoming Mt. Hope Run for Missions 5K and Fun Run and much more at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Gotta’ Run: What I’ve learned about taking care of my back

Lynna’s Update

by   March 19, 2025 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

Although they kept David in the hospital an extra day, all is well. He’s very tired but at least at home, he can catch up on some much needed rest. Thank you for all your prayers. They mean so much to us. Next week he’ll resume chemo and hopefully tolerate it a bit better.

Also next week I’ll be having surgery to finish repairing a ruptured intestine. As you probably know, I had emergency surgery this past October. The doctor wanted to give me time to heal before we did a second surgery. Turns out I really am full of crap, but you probably already knew that too. Who knew they had a cure for that?! I just hope it works. Thankfully we have two local daughters already taking care of us. Our third daughter will be driving twelve hours from Illinois on Monday to pitch in as well. We seriously are so blessed.

Well… except for the whole cancer, heart valve, chemo, and exploding intestine… life is pretty good. I hope to share some great verses from Psalm 119 next week. But if I don’t, you’ll know why. For today, our prayer verse is from Psalm 119:77. “Surround me with your tender mercies, so I may live.” To that I would add, and David too. Though we turn 70 this year, I think the Lord has a few more things for us to do.

Much love dear friends. Thanks for praying

Lynna’s Letter “H”

by   March 19, 2025 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

“How wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is.” from Ephesians 3:18

Years ago, we were on the beach at the Outer Banks, NC. David and I walked hand in hand at the edge of the surf away from the others. As far as we could see, in any direction there was only the Lord’s creation. Sand and the dunes stretched wide and long. A beautiful sky swirled with cotton white clouds reached high above us. An ocean teaming with life expanded too deep to be fully explored. The Lord says in our passage for today, that His love is too great to be understood. Maybe that’s why He gives us beautiful pictures like this so we can get a glimpse.

Rest in His amazing love today.

Love & Support

by   March 18, 2025 with No Comments

What do you do when a bully picks on you? We have probably all been there…except for the bullies. Steve Hartman shares the story of one town, or should I say state, came to the rescue. People who didn’t even know the one who was bullied came to let him know…he is loved and supported. ENJOY!

Having a Moment?

by   March 17, 2025 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

Having a moment?

It is that split second in time when you remember something or someone that sweeps your daily thoughts away, and replaces them with the emotions that one feels of something that was long ago or something that is a moment that will never really go away. 

I call it having a moment.

I call it having a memory.

When my son was three years old, we somehow left after a week at the beach without bringing Curious George back home with us. We are certain we accidentally left him sleeping in the bed. Yes, the stuffed monkey did not return. Phone calls to the motel we had stayed at brought no results.

 Curious George was gone forever. We bought another, but the outfit had slightly changed, and there was no fooling my little boy. We could have placed 50 stuffed animals on his bed, but he only would have wanted HIS Curious George.

Poor us. My child could not sleep without Curious George; therefore it took both parents in the bed with him to make sleep possible.  As many are aware, three in a bed can get a bit tight.

Eventually, after a lengthy period of grief and trying out several similar Curious George’s that just were NOT the same, I suppose our lives returned to normalcy. 

Somewhat. Except sometimes – I still have a moment.

Silly, right? My child slept cuddling with George every night.

There was nothing silly about it.

Thankfully, the story ended with us finding a very very very similar Curious George who arrived in the mail for him from the motel?? (Wink. Wink.) More than thirty years later, my son told me that he did not figure out at first that it was not the original George until later when became an adult.

Family beach trip. Stuffed animal goes missing. Yes, I began writing about this experience after having a ‘moment’ where I remembered going through it with my family as we grieved the loss and celebrated the fake recovery and joy of Curious George coming home.

A few years later, I noticed Curious George was no longer in my son’s bed each morning, and one day I realized George had gone to live in the closet.

Even though Curious George 2 replaced Curious George 1 – it was never the same. Curious George 2 never slept in the bed, but stayed 24 hours a day on the toy shelf.

Then later, he chose to go live in the attic.

Or perhaps that decision was made while my son was at school – and we, as parents, had noticed George no longer was given any attention.

That is the end of the story.

Everyone forgot about it.

Well – sort of.

Except for when I have a moment.

God, my Creator, brings moments and memories to my mind for many reasons, some of which are for my pleasure. I can envision my little boy holding Curious George in his arms, walking around the house with him, laying Curious George on his pillow beside him each night as he prayed for George, for me, and for others. Any moment that brings a memory like that to your mind is a gift from God.

Now – years later – I still have my moments.

Yes, Curious George is rarely in those moments.

But – he sure was today as I wrote these words.

I was thankful.

I believe sleep came easier for my young child those nights with Curious George beside him.

I believe I slept better those nights, too.

The most beautiful things in life are not just things –

They are also moments and memories.

Our moments and memories are like a diary we carry around with us.

Enjoy them.

Let me know how your memories go –

Hungry to Help

by   March 16, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

Fasting is a term many people are familiar with because it does not always necessitate a religious observance. Intermittent fasting has become a health choice for many. You can fast from certain meals or specific ingredients like sugar or foods like carbs. Cutting out media is often the choice for a mental or emotional fast. 

We are now in the season of Lent, where many do without a vice for 40 days and hopefully commit to prayer to prepare themselves for Easter.

There are many scripture passages Christians consider when fasting. We see Moses fast for 40 days before receiving the 10 Commandments. There is the fast Queen Esther held before approaching King Ahasuerus. Many Christians do a prolonged Daniel Fast, eating only fruits and vegetables. Even Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, enduring temptation from Satan. Jesus also gives guidelines for one’s appearance during a fast (Matthew 6:16-18). Sometimes, as Christians, the goal of fasting can be to have what many call a spiritual breakthrough or pray for specific end results. Perhaps God might act favorably upon one’s request in exchange for denying one’s desires. 

One chapter worth reading on true and false fasting is Isaiah 58. God’s chosen people thought they could pull one over on Him, pretending to worship the Lord and serve Him with delight in hopes of returned favor, but God could see through to their hearts (not that their actions left much to hide). They were guilty of oppressing their own people, for starters, and many more gross atrocities you can study in the Old Testament. They dare to question why God does not seem to hear and respond to them during their fast. 

God explains the type of fast He chooses to see – “loosening bonds of wickedness, letting the oppressed free, sharing bread, clothing the homeless, pouring out oneself for the hungry, satisfying the desire of the afflicted” (Isaiah 58). He promised His people to be their guide and strength during a proper fast and that they would flourish and be called repairers and restorers of their place as a light shining among the nations. 

It’s as though the evidence of self-denial isn’t in an altar show of worship but in sharing among the people, their own people, whom they were overlooking and mistreating horribly. Could it be that pure self-denial is not just doing without for one’s own sake but to bless someone else? I can easily do without cheesecake and deny myself the temptation most of the year. If someone made me a homemade, decadent cheesecake and, as an act of will, I put it in the fridge for a few days and waited, I would justify myself with a reward at the end of the week. But, the real test would be complete self-denial – giving that cheesecake to someone else and maybe even watching them enjoying it. (Don’t get any ideas!)

How does that translate to self-denial in periods of fasting? Would it look like investing your time into prepping a meal for someone else as you pray over their family? Could it be ignoring the distraction at your fingertips to sit quietly on the porch, lifting prayers for your neighbors? Can one prayerfully purge gently worn or excess clothing to donate to the local women and children’s ministry? When hangry pangs come – could one conquer oneself by extending grace, mercy, and hospitality to those trying patience during a fasting period?

While I cannot answer those questions for you, it appears God told His people that the evidence of pure self-denial and worship that pleased Him meant sharing. How could you share during your next period of fasting?

Ashlie Miller does indeed love a good cheesecake but would question whether giving it to a frenemy during a fast was a word from God or just a frenemy. You can email her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com with your thoughts.

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