Weapons of Mass Distraction

by   July 6, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

Along with many teens eligible for their driver’s license, my niece joined the queue the last week of June at the local DMV, which meant sitting in the sun for most of the day waiting for her scheduled turn. Why were so many teens (or their parents) eager to get their license before July 1? New NC insurance laws just expanded the inexperienced drivers’ surcharge from three years to eight years. 

At our home, as we celebrated our niece and cousin, we also discussed why we thought the stipulations had changed. What could studies have discovered as the potential cause for longer liability? My ten-year-old piped up – “Drivers are more distracted.” Nodding our heads in agreement, I asked, “What do you think is causing that more now than before?” “Phones!” she exclaimed. Indeed. Most family drives include teachable moments as we watch drivers regularly run red lights, cut off other cars, or seem oblivious to the presence of other drivers. More often than not, we can clearly see distracted drivers looking down at their smartphones.

Distractions are common today. But is this anything new? The Bible reveals many whom Satan attacked with weapons of mass distraction. He distracted Eve with questions about what is true. He helped her own imagination create false, destructive narratives. Today, we see many allowing their questions to take them not to a door of enlightenment but through an exit from the faith. Who do we take our questions to?

Satan knew that temptations could take the strong, mighty, and wise off course – Samson, King David, and King Solomon, for example. If the enemy knows where we are vulnerable, we must recognize our weaknesses and guard against temptation.

Martha was scolded by Jesus for being distracted by duty – serving Him, in fact – instead of worshiping Him. This weapon works covertly, almost like a double agent. We become busy or fail to say “no” to a good thing, all the while this weapon prevents us from engaging in the better thing – fully knowing and worshiping God. We can deflect this by making time to fellowship with God regularly. 

Even Peter began to drown in the waves that Christ had invited him to walk upon once he took his eyes off of Him to look at the circumstances surrounding him. This tactic pulls down many of us. The moment we take our eyes off Jesus, we are deafened by the noise and wind of our circumstances and become engulfed by it. We can safeguard against this by being thankful in all circumstances and trusting that God is good.

Nehemiah was different, however. While rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the opposition, Sanballat and Tobiah, unsuccessfully tried to distract Nehemiah with multiple taunts and plots. He was undeterred – he knew they were lying because he knew what was true, prayed to God, and created safeguards. We can wall against taunts and plots by regularly feasting on God’s Word (His truth rather than our truth), praying for protection, and practically setting safeguards. 

Warfare is raging. Weapons are flying. I am not immune, and neither are you. But we can be on guard. 

Traveling

by   July 5, 2025 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Traveling

            We went to visit my wife’s family last week. Traveling has become increasingly more challenging. It seems harder to get ready to go anywhere. The excitement of going someplace doesn’t seem to counteract the hurdles required to get there. I used to enjoy the drive, but now there are some people who drive excessively fast with no regard for others. Defensive driving is a must if you hope to arrive safely.

            Being with my wife’s family always involves eating plenty of good food. I helped to wash the dishes while we were there. It seemed only fair after they worked hard to put nice meals on the table. There were lots of laughs and the sharing of our lives. It was nice to take life at a slower pace for a few days.

            While we were there, I was able to spend an afternoon at the beach with my sister. There was a storm close by that we thought might ruin our time together, but it rained itself out before getting to us. We talked for a couple of hours and caught up on our lives while sitting near and wading in the cooling water. I didn’t want to leave. She sent me off refreshed by our time together and time sitting on the beach.

            We arrived home late the other night, glad to see our own home and to sleep in our own bed. I like traveling and getting away from the routines of our daily lives. But I also like coming home to our house and enjoying the comforts of being in our space.

            Traveling can be a fun and enjoyable activity. It can also be challenging if you run into trouble. Storms, broken down cars, and accidents can all lead to traveling nightmares. No one wants those kinds of problems. I am always thankful when we arrive home safely.

In a spiritual sense, we are all on journeys that we hope will lead us safely to our eternal home in heaven. Our spiritual journey is not taken on a highway. I prefer to be on a multi-lane highway when I am traveling, that way I have options if things go wrong. If we hope to find an eternity with God at the end of our journey then we are going to have to travel on paths, not highways.

            The Bible clearly tells us that the way to heaven is found on a difficult path. The road to destruction and an eternity separated from God is wide and easy to travel. Most people find themselves on that road mainly because it is easy. You do what want and live the way you want. The path to heaven is filled with difficult choices living by biblical standards, which are contrary to the world standards. God expects us to live up to His ways.

            Your journey on this path begins by making the choice to ask Jesus to be your savior. It is the best decision you will ever make, but it is also a challenging choice. You are choosing to leave your old life behind and agreeing to go on an adventure with God. While it will be difficult, God will take you on a wonderful, unforgettable journey. You will find forgiveness, healing for your brokenness, restoration of your self-esteem, and fulfillment.

            God’s paths take you to places you never imagined. God will give you dreams and then the ability to fulfill those dreams. God will give you gifts and talents that will help to build His kingdom. He will show you the purpose for which you were created. Then you will need to apply faith to fulfill that purpose. He will change your destiny and make you a new person on both the inside and the outside. You will become the apple of His eye.

            It doesn’t matter if you are ten or a hundred; God has a plan, purpose, and destiny in mind for you. I want to encourage you to take the first step and invite Jesus into your life. Put your hand in God’s hand and let Him take you on an unbelievable journey that might seem impossible to you today. Get on God’s path. It’s tough, but oh, so worth it. He sees you. He loves you. He sees what you can and will become. He is excited to take you to your destiny. This world has nothing to offer compared to eternity with God in heaven. You can do it! It’s not too late! Come join me on the path that leads to the heart of God.

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

Stonehenge in the Garden

by   July 4, 2025 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

Two weeks ago, if you had walked through our back garden gate, the gardenia would have made you take notice of it because its full blooming filled the garden with sweet fragrance. And over in a neighbor’s yard, a large Ligustrum would be adding to the scents of early summer. The gardenia is only three years old, but its rich green leaves and its full bright white blooms add to what was a corner of the garden before we moved the fence to the far back, and the Ligustrum’s blooming scent sent waves of sweetness across the yards.

Now all that remains are dull brown blooms on both plants. No more does a visitor smell them before seeing them. But the abelia next to the screened porch has blossomed and its small white flowers not only attract bees but sends a soft scent more subtle than the others and powerful in the way its summons the bees. The going of one leads to the arrival of another, and that is the pleasure of gardens.

Yesterday folks gathered in various ways around the world to mark the summer solstice, but I marked the beginning of the season by observing the gardenia, Ligustrum, and abelia. Their life cycle and fading blooms are my Stonehenge sunrise, my notice that another season has arrived.

Back to Stone Mountain State Park

by   July 3, 2025 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Back to Stone Mountain State Park to do it right!

    Back on July 16th of last year, I had a good start on visiting all of our state parks. I had heard from others that Stone Mountain State Park was one of the best, so I was looking forward to visiting there. It was two months after my broken back farm accident, and I was wearing a back brace full time. My walking was a struggle, but I wanted to help the recovery and strengthening process by challenging myself to hike at least one trail in every park. I stopped in the visitor center for a map of trails and waterfalls within the park, and to get my passport stamp on the way to complete all the NC state parks.

    I asked the attendant last year about the most popular hiking trails in the park, and she mentioned the Stone Mountain Loop Trail. Listed at 4.5 miles, the trail goes up over 700 feet in elevation and over the top of the stone-faced mountain, peaking at the summit of 2,305 feet, and is marked strenuous. The distance was too long, and the climb was more than I could do on that day, so I chose to walk a one-mile trail to the middle falls/lower falls, listed as moderate. But I did walk a small part of the easier section of the Stone Mountain Loop Trail, enough to see a restored 1860’s farm. I vowed to return and complete the trail within a year.

     Wednesday, June 18th was the day I set aside to take on the mountain that was only growing higher and steeper in my imagination. The drive was about 80 minutes from home to near Roaring Gap and the park. I stopped at the visitor center again, got a new map and two choices from the attendant. About my age, she looked fit and energetic. She said, “You have two options, get the major climbing done first or go the other way and you’ll be gradually climbing most of the way. I like doing the steep part first.” I knew I would do the same.

    At about 9:30am and at 71 degrees, I started an intense climb with lots of wooden steps, steep grades and even cables to hold onto while climbing. On and on, the climbing stayed intense while I was tracking the distance on my Garmin watch. I could see what looked like the summit ahead but some of the most intense climbing required the anchored cables to help me get there. About 300 wooden steps helped out too. The sharp uphill side was .97 of a mile to the summit with mostly a decline or flat the rest of the way to what my Garmin registered as 4.41 miles total.

     Nearly all those who hike the loop trail decide to take the easier but longer climb by choosing a right turn out of the park’s lower trailhead. I met more than 80 people coming from that direction. There are flat sections, but the ongoing grade is slightly upward. Of the 80 people, about 60 of them were a group of older teenage girls divided into three smaller groups of 20. The first group was intense and said little as I met them. The second group was more jovial and nearly all either spoke or waved. The third group was working hard to hike and said little as we passed. I met the same two women twice while they rested the second time after one of them had slipped on a wet rock face.

     Stone Mountain State Park was started in 1969 and is listed as one of the 38 best places to visit in western North Carolina by the Bucket List Book.  The park today boasts over 14,000 acres and ten other scenic trails of varying distances and difficulty. It also boasts the Hutchison homestead, a mid-1850s farm that has been restored and has lots of explanatory signage.

      I did have other conversations, all brief ones, as we hiked in different directions. I finished about noon, especially enjoying the heavy shade cover. The temperature had risen to 80 at the trailhead as I left. If you go, I hope you will enjoy this spectacular trail as much as I did. By the way, you’ll walk downhill past the 200-foot Stone Mountain Falls on the loop if you choose the hard climb first. Consider stopping at the Stone Mountain Country Store on the way out of the park for the blackberry cobbler ice cream and peanut butter fudge like I did. This park ranks as one of my favorites in all of NC.

    Next up on the local race circuit is the July 19th Run for the Greenway 5K and Fun Run. Look for it and other events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Gotta’ Run: Back to Stone Mountain State Park to do it right!

Lynna’s “W”

by   July 2, 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

Painting Friends

by   June 30, 2025 with No Comments

Steve Hartman tells the story of one high school senior who withdrew from her friends but found a wonderful way to reconnect. You have to see it to believe it….. ENJOY!!!

Beautiful Journey

by   June 29, 2025 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

While mid-December through March is the peak season for tourists in Breckenridge, CO, due to winter sports, my husband and I are not your average tourists there. Give me mild temps in June with fewer people anywhere, and I’ll likely go. The breathtaking landscapes can keep one’s head turning around every bend – craggy cliffs of a mountain on one side, evergreen peaks on the next, and white-capped points straight ahead. Those are just sights from the main highways. Walking along trails or riding an e-bike provides more opportunities to pause and take in the grandeur of creation. 

While we were away on a pastors’ and wives’ retreat, I had one morning to myself to venture out while my pastor (my husband) was writing the week’s sermon. Selecting a trail was an overwhelming decision, so I opted for a bit of familiarity, choosing a walking trail well below the paved bike trail we had explored the day before. I thought I might find a nook and read my book. I wasn’t focused on where I would end up, so I just started walking. As I became engrossed in the saturation of color and texture on my walk, I just kept walking — and walking. No destination in mind at this point. I saw evidence of wildlife that I had just missed. Dandelions carpeted much of the way, leaving a golden pathway. I came to a part of the path carved out with stones as if beckoning me somewhere – is this leading me to The Shire? Surely, I wouldn’t be lucky enough. But the puffy white clouds against the perfect blue sky (I’m sure that was at least a Carolina blue) and the earthy tones of a bubbling brook and rocky path as the deciduous trees were beginning to wake up were all enough to nourish my soul that day. I did not need to know where the path would end.

I was grateful that my mind was uncluttered from the noise of worries and anxieties. For far too often, I have traveled down paths equally as lovely but no competition for the smog of fret that clouded my view. The walk that day, however, was filled with a beautiful, quiet conversation with my spirit. 

Earlier that morning, my friend Jill shared a similar feeling about our e-bike ride from one town to another. She noted a phrase that has been said before: “The journey is not more beautiful than the destination.” But we don’t always feel that way, do we? 

At an earlier time in my life, I would have argued that the destination was the best part. After all, I would have the opposite reaction to homesickness. I am not certain it was wanderlust, but surely it was close. 

But what makes a journey so beautiful? Is it the scenery? Maybe. Could it be the milder temps (at least in this case)? Quite possibly. I think it is the peace one carries. Peace makes it easier to see past the smog. And while we are at it, you do know that Peace is a Person? [His name is Jesus.] When you journey with the Peace Speaker, even a rough journey is graced with its own beauty. He speaks even in silent conversations. His presence alone is enough. 

I was blessed to have selected an easy, gorgeous trail to trek that day, but there is no guarantee that my or your next path will be so glorious. Will you be able to walk in and with Peace?

Ashlie Miller meanders on trails, greenways, sandy shores, and even just her own neighborhood in Concord. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

Heat Wave

by   June 28, 2025 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Heat Wave!

            Do you like going to the beach? I do! I like walking the beach and allowing the waves to wash up around my feet. I also enjoy sitting close to the water and allowing the waves to rush up under my chair. The sound of the waves crashing onto the beach in such a rhythmic way helps to erase stress and clear the mind.

            Those are waves I like. I don’t like heat waves like the one we are enduring now. I think it is unusual to have a heat wave this early in the year. I have a few days off and was planning to get some work done outside. That’s not happening in this heat. My new plan is to enjoy plenty of ice cold drinks and the air conditioning. 

            What concerns me about this early heat wave is its impact on local farmers and small gardeners like me. How do we keep the fruits and vegetables alive in the extreme heat? I know we need to water, but the heat is hard on all the plants. I need to do some weeding in the garden but it’s too hot for that.

            The heat and humidity is draining on us. I was hoping to do some reading on my front porch, but that is not going to happen, either. I went for my walk the other day in the early evening. It was still warm but we have lots of trees in our neighborhood, which helped.

            We all know this will not be the only heat wave of the summer. I am hoping for a little cooler weather for our Fourth of July celebration. I guess summer heat is here to stay. The air temperature is not the only challenge we face in our lives. Many of us are feeling the heat in other ways, like struggles with relationships, finances, broken down cars, air conditioner repairs, health issues…and the list goes on. This kind of heat can challenge our faith.

            God wants our faith to grow and become strong. The only way for that to happen is for us to face challenges where we find ourselves dependent upon God to come through for us. I am not suggesting we purposefully put ourselves in difficult places to make God come through for us. Life will deliver plenty of challenges that will make us run to God to help us through our situation.

            The key word that I have been thinking about is the word through. We serve a God who wants to see us through life’s challenges. Naturally, we would all prefer God to move quickly and instantly. Who wouldn’t be excited when God heals someone? We all would love to see our problems instantly solved. Simple solutions. Easy every time!

            When we see God move in the miraculous it builds our faith in His mighty power. It builds our faith to go back the next time with an expectant heart that God will come through miraculously again. There are miracles that happen around us all the time and we need to tell those stories to build each other’s faith. We need to believe in His goodness and kindness for us and in His miraculous power.

The problem with the instant results is that there is no opportunity for our faith to grow through perseverance. Do you remember the parable about the widow who wearied the judge with her request? The judge gave in because of her perseverance. God wants to see us persevere in the same manner.

I believe that God sometimes chooses not to move miraculously because He wants to walk with us through our circumstance. He is the God who sees us through the fiery trial. He is the God who brings light into our darkest moments. He is the God of hope that can help us endure. He wants us to learn more about His character. He wants us to learn to trust Him when we can’t see our next step. He wants to build that child-like faith in us.

I want to encourage you in two ways today. First, I want to encourage you to believe in God’s miraculous power. He still does miracles and we need to pray and believe for them. Second, if you feel yourself struggling because God didn’t move miraculously for you, then know that God is going to see you through. He wants to take you into a deeper relationship with Him. He is drawing you closer. Challenges are opportunities to get to know God better. Heat in our lives gives us the opportunity to build faith in an awesome God. 

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

Totally Covered

by   June 27, 2025 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Psalms 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

  • No doubt that there are challenges and storms and deserts in our lives and often we feel abandoned.
  • But God never fails, He is always there and He will cover us through that difficult time if we will just let Him.
  • His faithfulness is a shield and we only need a shield when there is a difficulty ahead of us.

Prayer:  Lord I praise You that You cover me today with Your feathers and I yield to Your covering and Your protection and I will not panic or get fearful of my circumstances.  I will rejoice in You always in Jesus name.  Amen. 
 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

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