The Clock & the Calendar

by   November 2, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

The past week, with all its dreariness, sogginess, and chill, either set you up to feel cozy and restful or possibly miserable, and dare I say depressed? Our first home was in Landis, a cozy little house in a cozy little town. However, the few small windows where the sun would shine through were not enough to overcome gloomy days for me. There were other issues, I am sure that accompanied that – a husband whose role at his job began to require lots of travel while I was home with three small boys under the age of 5. 

I dreaded the time change because there would be less sun, less time to get them all outside, and let their energy loose. Can’t we just have springs and summers? And why these semi-annual time changes? I thought they were going to end that! 

Where would we be without these seasonal changes? Not necessarily the time changes (which most people question), but actual seasonal changes, including the dark, slow, cold ones. 

One does not have to be acquainted with agrarian life to understand that cycles are life: transformation, growth, dormancy, buds, flowers, fruit, seed. Even the animals take note of what each season offers them: mating, eggs and hatchlings, migration, metamorphosis, gathering, and hibernation. 

As the most unique of all creation, and those ordained to rule over all of the rest of creation, sometimes, as humans, we push ourselves to carry on through each season with no lull in tempo. That can be true in the literal astronomical seasons and in the seasons of life. For some, it is hard to imagine or purposely plan a season of rest when there is always so much to do. Besides, hard work is rewarding! Others who regularly enjoy a life of – well, let me put it nicely – leisure, may view entering a season of hard work and growth as a traumatic life experience.

God gave us equinoxes and solstices for the good of the land and its inhabitants. How could we make the most of more time inside – more rest and solitude, time to take up new hobbies or finish household projects, time for reflection, for example?

Likewise, God gave us seasons of life – plenty or lacking, health or illness, riches or poverty, ease or struggle, to name a few. How can we lean into the gifts and grace of those seasons that the Creator has already provided and appointed?

We are in the middle of the fall season, the beginning of shorter days, and approaching an even colder, bleaker season. Our personal lives in general may be in a season of energy and joy or exhaustion and sadness. How can we take stock of those intervals and receive the gift that is already afforded? 

It takes time, awareness, and intentionality, but the rewards can be sweet in their own ways. 

Ashlie Miller hopes to read more books, improve in a new hobby, and finally get the attic better organized in the coming months. You may share your plans with her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

A Different Road

by   November 1, 2025 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

A Different Road

            I wrote about my nephew’s wedding last week. It was great to see my family. It’s hard to get our whole family together because we are really spread out across the country. I have nieces and nephews that live in Montana and Idaho. I have a nephew in Puerto Rico and another in Oklahoma. A number of them live in Virginia. The ones in the Carolinas I get to see for holiday gatherings. 

            I have noticed that like me, they are getting older. Many of my nieces and nephews are in their thirties, with one hitting forty. Several are going through big life changes like expecting a child, changing jobs, and changing life direction. Listening to them reminded me that life is full of changes, some good and pleasant, others hard and challenging. I remember in my own life how critical faith was to help navigate those changes, believing that God would see us through.

            My nephew’s wedding was a few miles past the end of civilization. I left early to get there on time. I am glad I did because I had a little trouble finding the place. I wrote the directions out and had a printout of the directions, but I still struggled. In the directions there was a road that I was supposed to be on for only a short distance. I was cruising along and out of the corner of my eye I saw the name of the road. I turned around and went back to that road without checking my directions.

            This road took me on a beautiful adventure out into the country. It was a twisty, peaceful road. I was enjoying the views and taking in fall’s beauty. After driving for quite a while, I began to think about those directions sitting on my seat. Something felt wrong. I was still on this road but failed to realize this was supposed to be the road that only required a short distance. The peace began to evaporate as I began to think I was going the wrong way.

            That’s when I spotted a fire station. Firemen know their way around. I told the guy where I was going, and he said I was just a few miles from a critical intersection. My peace returned and I began to enjoy the sights once again. When I finally arrived at the intersection, I discovered that I was supposed to be on the road I was crossing, not the one I was on. I made the turn and was back on track. I later realized that I had been on a long journey on a country road that just happened to loop me back around to my destination.

            I believe that life is much like my mistaken turn. We believe we know where we are going but sometimes we get off the road God intended for us. The journey ends up being a pleasant diversion. We are not where God intended but we are also not in danger. God is keeping a close eye on us. We have wandered. He has a plan to get us back on track but it requires that we seek wise counsel and be willing to follow it.

            We all come to forks in the road in our lives. Several of my nieces and nephews are sitting there right now. We can choose which road to go down. One is the way the Lord is calling us and the other may lead us away from His blessing. How do we know which way to go?

            I believe it requires prayer. Prayer should include trusted brothers and sisters in the Lord and our pastors. Seeking wise counsel from people who have your best interests at heart is also a good idea. Be careful of paths that look easy and good. Sometimes God’s path is more challenging, but those challenges will build godly character and lead you into a far better place. I believe God will guide you if you are willing to wait and pray.

            Do you know that God wants you to have a good trip through life? An old pastor friend has worked hard to drill that into my head. I want to encourage you if you are at a crossroads in life…God is with you…wait, pray, and listen for His voice to guide you. God’s way is often not the easy way. God’s way is not the shortcut. God’s path often involves training and developing your personal strengths and character. His path is not about instant success but long-term success. Don’t be in a rush to move forward. God is at work behind the scenes for you, preparing the way for you, wanting to bless you.

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

The Whole Bible

by   October 31, 2025 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Matthew 13:52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

  • Rather than replacing the one with the other, we embrace both the Old and the New Testaments.
  • There are so many truths and principles from the Old Testament that we can learn from about God and His interaction with mankind.
  • There is treasure to be found if we will just search for it in His word.  Holy Spirit lead us on that very journey.

Prayer:  Lord I love Your word and I hunger and thirst to know more of Your scripture and Your word.  Open it up to me Holy Spirit that I can have understanding and revelation continually every day from Your word.  Lead me I pray in Jesus name.  Amen.
 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Another 100 Miler for Kenneth Todd

by   October 30, 2025 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Another 100 miler for Kenneth Todd

    Kenneth Todd is Rowan’s premier ultra-runner, meaning distances at or longer than 50 kilometers or 32 miles. On October 4th, he completed ‘The Hennepin Hundred’ which is Illinois’ only point to point all trail ultramarathon.  It started in Rock Falls and finished in Colona.

   Todd chose this race since it is a qualifier for the Western States 100 in California, one of the top 100-mile races in the world, with only 369 runners allowed per year. He originally planned another race but his daughter was selected to be on the South Rowan homecoming court on the same day. With Western States qualification races ending in November for the June 2025 race, Todd found the Hennepin race. It already had a waitlist of 11 runners, yet he got in a couple days later.

     Todd went alone, a challenge in itself!  Many runners have a support crew that follows the runner from aid station to aid station assisting with lubing feet, filling water bottles, purchasing a pizza, etc.   

Todd said, “Sunrise at the Rock Falls start was incredible. It was a rough day on the course, as the temperature soared to over 90 degrees. My watch tracked the high temperature at 99 degrees. It was an incredible experience, even with the hot day. The flat course follows a canal trail. Finishing a 100-mile race is always a great accomplishment. This was my 10th finish of 100+ miles. Being able to call home and say, ‘I did it’ after such a hot day was a blessing.”

      The aid stations at every 4 to 6 miles are stocked with water, gels, candy, cookies, peanut butter sandwiches, soup, crackers, chips, all the fun stuff! Other ultra-runners work the stations because they know the pain, struggle, and challenges that participants face. They say the right things and help runners keep moving down the trail towards the finish.

     Todd said, “It is so easy to quit. The heat got to me pretty bad. At mile 68, I threw up due to heat exhaustion. I met different runners, with a couple memorable ones. During the long miles, we talk about ‘life’. At ultra races, we learn about kids and their activities, where they are from, favorite sports teams, careers, etc. It is our way to put the pain and discomfort away for a mile or two while we chat with our fellow runners.”  

   This was Todd’s 12th ultra race finish. He said, “They all have their own unique traits that I enjoy!  My first 100, the Black Mountain Monster was a 24-hour race over a 3-mile loop course in Black Mountain. Umstead was my next 100 that I finished in 22 hours. The Abingdon, Virginia Yeti 100, is another beautiful course along the Creeper trail. The OBX 200 along the Outer Banks and my only 200-mile race. The Pinhoti 100 and Indiana Trail 100s were both completed with my great friend Stu Stepp.  All of these have special places in my heart!” 

    When asked about his feelings afterwards, Todd said, “Accomplished! 100 miles is a very hard thing to do. It is more mental than physical. An ultra runner needs to be in great physical shape, but it is much more a mental challenge. I was dehydrated, will lose a couple toenails, have blisters on my feet, legs are sore, but otherwise all good. Typical day at the ‘100-mile’ office!”

   Todd will apply for the Western States in November, with the drawing held in December. About 10,000 runners apply for 369 spots. With each completed qualifying race, his odds increase.  With five qualifying races, Todd has his fingers crossed.

    Next, Todd will be running the Black Canyon 100k in Arizona in February as his qualifier for 2027. Todd’s brother lives in Arizona and said, “It will be a great opportunity to see him, and I hope to talk him into being my crew! And I am still eyeing completing a marathon in all 50 states, I am up to 43 states currently.” 

    Todd’s wife, Jennifer, is a VA nurse, and has completed a couple half marathons. His oldest daughter, Mackenzie, a freshman at Georgia Southern University, ran cross country at Carson for a couple of years. Youngest daughter, Addison, a sophomore at South Rowan, is into cheer and is starting to take up golf.

    Todd is 49 years old and the Senior Director of Sales for Fresh Del Monte. He said, “I sell fruits and vegetables to regional retailers in the mid-Atlantic and northeast.” 

   SRR’s “Do the Double” is available next Saturday, October 18th,  with Spencer’s Race to the River 5K and China Grove’s Rotary Fall Crawl 5K. Look for more information on both races and plenty more at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Gotta’ Run: Another 100 miler for Kenneth Todd

Lynna’s “W”

by   October 29, 2025 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” -Romans 8:28

When we think of work, it typically involves labor of some kind, maybe even something we don’t look forward to. But I LIKE this version of work; the one where the Lord is doing the hard part. Only He can orchestrate the many details of our lives to give a beautiful, positive outcome. When everything comes undone, it is so good to know that He is in charge and I am not.

Bonus verse: Jeremiah 29:11-” For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Currently these two verses have become almost cliche-ish. I don’t love how they’re tossed into our storms like little fix-all life preservers. However, when we take them to heart, fully trusting that the Lord has a plan, everything changes. All the work, all the plans, all the future is in His very capable hands.

“Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are His.” -Psalm 100:3

Of Kings & Crowns

by   October 26, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

Looking at my social media scroll this week,  I wouldn’t have thought there would be so much talk about monarchy – kings or no kings, and crowns. Though no king or queen rules us, the idea of monarchy still captivates the thoughts of many – just ask any American anglophile the latest about the British monarchy.

It is a tale as old as time, almost quite literally. In the Old Testament, we see a chosen people led by a theocracy – by God alone. God sets His people apart, but they don’t like that. They want to be ruled by an earthly king. Though warned of the oppression it would bring upon the people, God allowed the prophet Samuel to make a king for them. Saul proved to be a miserable king. David, the man after God’s own heart, was imperfect – failing morally, as a parent, and as a leader. His son, Solomon, though credited as the wisest man to live, was only halfway committed to the ways of God. As promised, oppression and disaster ensued for the people of Israel. An earthly king may have been what they wanted, but it isn’t what they needed. 

If we are all honest, we all do want a king. We daily crown or dethrone people on social media. We either long for the Eternal King to make things right or fight to put ourselves on the throne of our hearts, ruling oftentimes defiantly against the order He established during Creation. One way or another, the fight for a monarchy is our life’s pursuit. 

Then, there is the pursuit of the crown itself. I am sure time (and a gripping Hollywood script) will tell us more about the Louvre heist of the crown jewels and how on earth they dropped the crown, but what a picture for how temporal even the greatest riches are. The race is on to recover the jewels before they are cut into smaller, less valuable pieces. 

Christ encourages us to lay up treasures that moth and rust can’t destroy, nor thieves can rob and steal (Matthew 6:19). Even if we guard our earthly treasures, we can’t take them with us (too late to ask the French queens) or ensure their protection after we are departed. The only lasting treasures are eternal endeavors, and a crown awaits the saints. How do we measure the value and permanence of such treasures?

What crowns are we chasing today? Sure, it may be superficial success, fleeting fame or influence, or a facade of eternal beauty and youth. Or it may be something more practical, like security, safety, control, and certainty. 

After my husband and I visited the Louvre in Paris, I read about the Mona Lisa and its fame. Before it was stolen in 1911, many would not have even been able to describe or pick out the Mona Lisa. More people visited the empty wall where the Mona Lisa once hung than came to see it in the years before. I remember seeing the French Crown Jewels in the Galarie d’Apollon with a smaller crowd than those getting selfies with Mona Lisa. I wonder, once the gallery reopens, how many will flock to see what is no longer there—fleeting riches. 

Will our hearts be empty cases of perishable riches or filled with treasure yet to be fully known? Who will wear the crown on the throne of our hearts? We get to decide. 

An Interesting Conversation

by   October 25, 2025 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

An Interesting Conversation

            My nephew got married over the weekend in a beautiful outdoor ceremony. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect if we had ordered it. The setting was beautiful. The sun peeked through the leaves to catch glimpses of the bride and groom. I saw a swarm of honeybees and a flock of birds fly over. All of nature was straining to get a glimpse of the bride and groom. 

            The ceremony honored both their faith and their devotion to each other. They composed their own vows in which they shared the depth of their love and commitment to each other. Then they exchanged the traditional vows before sharing the anxiously awaited kiss. It was a wonderful afternoon watching my sister’s youngest son begin his life’s journey together with his new bride. Almost my entire family was present and it was great to see my siblings and their families all together. 

            The reception that followed was filled with all the traditional activities: the first dance, cutting the cake, and speeches. The food was very good and the place was packed with warmth and good cheer. Everyone had a great time in what was a well-choreographed wedding ceremony. I am so happy for the bride and groom and their respective families.

            While we were waiting to eat, I was sitting at a table with my brother-in-law, another nephew, who was visiting from Puerto Rico, and a great-niece. My brother-in-law was asking questions for each of us to answer. My great-niece was enjoying the interaction. At one point he asked her, “If you could have dinner with two people, living or dead, who would they be and why?” My niece responded, “Monet.” The three of us were blown away with her response since she is a young child. Then she added Vincent van Gogh and she had us all reeling. How could such a young child pick such great people? Obviously, she is interested in art. We all thought she would pick some movie or TV star or a young heart throb.

            When asked the same question, my brother-in-law, who is English, chose Winston Churchill and one of the Queens from British history. We discussed several influential people in British history that would be fascinating to meet. I told the group that I would like to meet Paul who wrote most of the New Testament. As a writer, I would like to learn what I could from the expert. Everyone liked that answer. When asked who my second choice would be, I mentioned a few movie stars. This earned me some well-intentioned teasing from the guys. We all got a good laugh from the suggested stars. To be honest, I would really like to meet several contemporary Christian writers such as Davis Bunn, Frank Peretti, or Max Lucado. I once met Og Mandino, who had a huge impact on my life. But that is a story for another day.

            The question fell to my nephew. Without hesitation he said he would like to meet Jesus. He said he had lots of questions that he would like to discuss with Jesus. We all liked his choice. We discussed a few of his questions and we enjoyed the interaction. A little later, my brother-in-law left the table and I pursued his choice a little deeper. I told my nephew that I would enjoy hearing his questions and discussing them with him. I told him that my father often liked to discuss such things and it would remind me of him in a pleasant way. We decided that we would continue our discussion through email.

            I am looking forward to this exchange with my nephew as we discuss the things he would like to learn from Jesus. I hope that I will be able to answer some questions which I think will help deepen my own faith as I grapple with the things that are on his mind. Talking about Jesus is one of my favorite topics. I imagine my dad would have loved to be a part of this exchange, adding plenty of his own questions.  

            I want to encourage you to explore opportunities that present themselves to you to discuss and share your faith with others. Many people you know have questions that you could answer and help them to understand. My nephew and I have agreed that this is not to be a debate but rather an opportunity to learn and grow in our understanding. I hope we grow closer through this exchange. Sharing our faith and why we believe in a non-judgmental way can be a real blessing. Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

Late Friendships

by   October 24, 2025 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

We moved to Lake Norman three years ago and are now comfortably settled in our home and neighborhood. We know people. They know us. Each day someone stops for a visit in the shop and a myriad of topics are discussed: Children, grandchildren, religion, politics, sports, reading, and so much more. Our life here on LKN is made richer by these friendships formed late in our lives and the lives of our new friends.

However, friendship is usually thought of as something from childhood or college or a time when folks were younger, such as when rearing children. Those friendships formed during the struggles of youth and learning are invaluable as we travel through the paths of later life; we depend on those people because they have, over the years, become permanent posts in our lives on which we lean. They are now part of our root system because they, years ago, helped form us. But since retirement, my wife and I have discovered new friends in our late years. These new friends are retired as we, and they are intricate parts of our lives whether individually or as a couple. Yet, I sometimes wonder what these newfound friends were like thirty or forty years ago. I wonder if, had we met at age forty, would we have been friends. But I do not wonder too much, I just cherish the friendship because those types of questions never can be answered. To wonder about such things is as useless as holding onto regrets of a past action. Although each new friend late in life has a past, as do I, the present is what I know unless I learn when the friend shares some of his  or her past.

But one new friend is different, however, because she was in a writing group with me. She, at the bidding of her two children, was writing her life’s story. So each week during writing group, she shared parts of her life. All of it: The despair when the custom-built home that she and her husband had built burned to the ground. The shock of her divorce. The early life on a southern Georgia farm. Her love of classical music. Being the wife of a medical student in Washington, DC. Life as a single mother for her son and daughter. Her sister’s schizophrenia. Her love of literature and painting. And more.

Yvonne’s rich life from a Georgia farm to New York City to D.C. to Florida and finally to Mooresville interested the writing group and me. Her’s was quite a story, but I was most impressed by her late life, when she, my wife Mary Ann, and I became friends.  Every Sunday she sang in the church choir. Each Wednesday she shared the communal meal before joining the writing group before going to choir practice. Her life revolved around family, music, painting, reading, and telling her story. All as she battled her cancers. But if one did not notice her dry mouth as she read or sang or spoke, her cancer did not show itself, yet it presented itself in many ways, and she gracefully stiffed armed it like Thurber’s Rex: Her resolve is legendary with those who know her and she is not to be defeated except on her terms, which have now arrived.

            In 1st Kings, at the end of his life, King David says to his son Solomon, “I go the way of all the earth.” Yvonne’s journey is now where that kings was, and she has asked her daughter to move her from Levine in Concord to her home-to her library. A simple request that will offer dignified death surrounded by family, cherished books, her two loving cats, her paintings, and the last revision of her word-processed story that her children and grandchildren will read, and through which come to know and appreciate her well-lived life.

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