The New Year

by   December 31, 2022 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            Was Christmas cold enough for you? It looks like New Year’s Day will be mild. The weather in NC is constantly changing. Friends have asked when we might see some snow. There is nothing on the immediate horizon, but you can be sure that I am watching for any chance.

            It’s hard to believe that we are putting 2022 to bed. It seems the year passed by so quickly. It was one of the busiest years that I can remember, and I am partially retired. Much like any year, there were moments that I will treasure, especially those spent with family and friends.

            There were some new experiences that created some great memories, like starting my new job at the community college. The most treasured moments were those when students succeeded and earned their GED. Hopefully, we have all had some moments that were great, moments we will remember many years from now.

            Conversely, I can easily imagine that we have all had moments in 2022 that we would rather forget. Every year brings with it trials and struggles that challenge us. Some are designed for our growth as humans and others are sad, even tragic, creating scars that we will carry with us the rest of our lives. It’s those moments that we would rather forget and leave behind.

            Whatever 2022 held for us doesn’t define what we will experience in 2023. That will only be defined by time and how we interpret the experiences we have in the coming year. Our attitude has a profound effect on the coming year. If we perceive the year negatively then we are setting up a self-fulfilling prophecy. The year will be what we imagine it.

            I believe we need to enter the year believing and expecting good things to come our way. I am realistic and know that there will be some tough and difficult moments in the coming year. Every year has them. But I am choosing to believe that God is planning some good things for me in the coming year. I believe God is excited, almost like a little child at Christmas, to bring me into the things He has planned for the coming year.

            So we have to turn our eyes on God in faith. We have to trust Him with a future we can’t see. God, who is not bound by time, already knows all that is going to happen. He has gone before us to prepare the way for us. He knows about the challenges that we will face and has already put things in motion to help us through those situations.

            He is also planning many blessings along the way for us. Pray that our eyes will be open to see them and appreciate them. I hope we aren’t distracted and miss the great things. God has also hidden some treasures along the way for us. I hope we take time to discover them. He loves to see us unearth His love and kindness.

            There is often one thing we fail to consider as we gaze into the new year. God is busy planning opportunities for us to be a blessing to others. Your story and scars might be just the thing that encourages another to keep pressing on. You have a testimony of God’s goodness in your life and He wants you to share it with others. When you share your story with someone who is struggling it’s a great blessing. God is delighted when we share His goodness.

            The coming year is going to be filled with great things for all of us. There will be good things filled with God’s blessings. There will be hidden treasures waiting for you. There will be opportunities to be used by God for blessing others. There will be opportunities for us to grow our faith and become stronger. 2023 is going to be a good year. We must believe it, proclaim it, and trust God with all the details.

            I want to encourage you to enter 2023 with hope in your heart. Hope that God will reveal His love to you in new and wonderful ways. Hope that your faith will not waiver but grow stronger and deeper. Hope that you will see brighter days filled with God’s blessings. Hope that you can be a blessing to others. Hope in a God of the impossible who will intervene in your daily life to reveal His unfailing love for you. I declare that 2023 is going to be a year of unstoppable faith, irrepressible hope, and overflowing love. Welcome 2023, a year of faith, hope, and love.  

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

Just a Pale, Blue Dot

by   December 30, 2022 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

            Every few days, a new photograph appears on my computer sent by some server I signed with years ago. As far as I know, the service is free, and I do enjoy looking at the stunning photographs of the natural world—I decline ones of cities. The photographs of mountains, lakes, shorelines, all the usual natural views are terrific. Sometimes people are present in them, but they are secondary to the magnificent scenery. I enjoy guessing the location of the photos and have come to understand that there is, at times, little difference between a mountain view in the United Kingdom to one in France. Over the years I have learned that our world is not that different from one location to another. Now, I appreciate that The Sarah Desert and Death Valley are two different deserts with their own ecology, but even the differences do not discount how much alike our earth is in its varied locations. A field of wildflowers in Germany often resemble one in America. It seems that we are, in the natural world at least, more alike than different.

Over thirty years ago, on February 14, 1990, NASA engineers turned the cameras of Voyager I toward our solar system just as it was to exit it on its way to explore other solar systems.  Voyager I was 3.7 billion miles from our sun when its cameras took sixty photographs of our solar system and one picture became known as the Pale Blue Dot because of a pixel sized dot sitting in a bent ray of sunlight. Scientist Carl Sagan used that image in the title of his book,  Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space, in which he writes, “Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us.”

Looking at that pixel recently on my computer screen caused me to close that screen and go to the most recent photograph sent to me by the unknown provider which was of a lake with mountains in the distance. In the clear and shallow water of the foreground can be seen smooth stones and on ragged, peaked mountains are evergreens that eventually thin out and gave way to bare rock. The jagged peaks look like they could be in the Rocky Mountains, but they are in Germany. (Wrong again on knowing where a photograph is taken). But being wrong about any location of a nature scene, does not upset me,  and  I still marvel that so many physical areas of our earth closely resemble other locations. Despite differences, it is the earth on which all of mankind lives and much alike across its rivers, lakes, mountains, deserts, forests, and more.

            The  KJV of The Letter to the Hebrews has in 2:7, “Thou madest him [man] a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hand:” I understand that to mean we are the stewards of this earth, and that is a task that we seem to have chosen to forget or ignore the responsibility for a myriad of excuses.

            But I ask the reader to go to the computer and type in Voyager I and look at Sagan’s pale, blue dot that looks so small and isolated and alone in that beam of sunlight. But after looking at the pixel-sized dot, remember his words: “…That’s here. That’s home. That’s us.” It is all we have, so we should take care of it, that pale, blue dot.

What Happens When You Give Blood?

by   December 29, 2022 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Giving blood is always needed, and there are lots of blood drives going on during the holiday season. One of the concerns for some who don’t give is they are unsure what will happen with the body, especially if they exercise regularly. I’ve been giving for many years and plan to continue for as long as I can.

Giving blood is especially easy these days since you can look at all of the upcoming blood drives within a specified area at www.redcrossblood.org. Once you schedule to give, then you will get the opportunity to do the rapid test. It is a quick summary to make sure you are eligible to give currently and takes less than five minutes. You get a QR code to print or save on your phone to show the Red Cross volunteers upon arrival. Or you can choose to do the quick summary when you check in.

You will also get a quick check for blood pressure, pulse, body temperature and iron upon arrival too, all useful in case you didn’t know about an issue. If all is well, you’ll go wait for the volunteer who will actually draw your blood. The blood draw takes from 5-15 minutes. Our running club has several competitive givers who time the process and try to shorten it if possible. Squeezing the little ball and being hydrated are helpful, especially if you want to get done quickly and move on to the snack table. You get a small gift from the Red Cross, and once listed, you will be notified about opportunities to do it again.

Donating blood is a noble act and helps save lives. Athletes and regular gym goers should not shy away from this opportunity due to fears of affecting performance levels. By following the recommendations and planning when you donate blood to suit your training program, you can help save lives just as you would hope others do if you need blood.

Here is what happens to the body when you give blood. Donating one pint of blood (the typical amount drawn during a whole blood donation) reduces blood volume by about one tenth. Since oxygen travels throughout your body via the bloodstream, having less blood on board can affect how you perform during your workouts. It only takes about a day for your body to replace the fluid portion of your blood, called plasma. It can take four to six weeks for red blood cells to reach their pre-donation levels, but several studies show there’s only a 24- to 48-hour dip in exercise performance after donation.

There’s a short-term dip in maximal oxygen update (how much oxygen people can inhale and use), but it seems to return to normal within a day or two.

“When testing elite athletes, their uptake, measured by what’s called VO2 max, might be down 3, 5 or even 8 percent compared with pre-donation levels. Most everyday athletes and fitness fans won’t notice any significant lingering effects after giving blood. For most of us, it’s not something you or I could sense after a couple of days.” said Dr. Jed Gorlin, vice president and medical director at Innovative Blood Resources in St. Paul, Minnesota.

And no matter what exercise you do or don’t do after donating blood, always listen to your body. If you notice any dizziness or lightheadedness, end your workout right there. Sit or lie down, wait for it to pass and then gradually get back up and get some fluids and food in you.

A few more good things happen, and I’ll address those next week. I’m scheduling to give blood this week and will report on that too, plus how I altered my running and other exercise to make it happen.

Our next race locally is the Bradshaw Financial Planning Resolution Run 5K at the Forum on Jan. 2. Look for it and more events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.

A Much Greater Plan

by   December 28, 2022 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

  • We are sometimes so narrow minded and only see our lives in small frustrations.
  • There is so much more going on way beyond before we were born and after we go and there is so much to life.  
  • He does make all things beautiful and fantastic.  We must just look to Him and let Him be sovereign in every way.

Prayer:  Hallelujah!  I lift my hands and praise and worship, because You are the Almighty God and my life is very small and insignificant compared to Your great plan.  I yield to You and know that You make all things beautiful and good and I trust You no matter what things look like today.  Amen.
 

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

A Memorable Teacher

by   December 27, 2022 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

Did you have a favorite teacher in school? I did. Mrs. Cowan, our chorus teacher was amazing. But she scared the life out of me. First of all, I took her class as an elective because I wanted something easy. But mostly I figured chorus would be one class where I could goof off with my friends.


Boy was I wrong. That woman was tough.


But! She taught those of us who had very little vocal talent to sing the harmony part. I was definitely in that category and was happy to be placed in the alto section. When it came time for our exam, I was NOT happy to discover that we would be expected to perform in front of our peers. Oh, we could have one or two classmates sing with us for their exam too. But holy cow I was nervous. Together me, Rhonda Parks and Renee Overcash sang the very somber folk song Blowin’ in the Wind. These were the days of the Vietnam War. The song spoke of young girls crying for their dead and something about flowers and the answers to life blowing in the wind. The only problem was that I got so nervous during our performance that I started laughing. It was Mrs. Cowan’s fault. She accompanied us on the piano and played so fast and loud I could not keep up. Me and the girls had practiced together without music and were used to dragging out each note with sorrow. I think she just wanted to get it over with. But when I started laughing, though she shot daggers from her eyes, I could not stop. My poor friends got tickled too and the three of us laughed until Mrs. Cowan banged out the last note. I just remember hurrying off the stage with tears running down my face, probably my legs too, from laughing so hard. It was not pretty.


I ended up taking chorus the next year too. Bless Mrs. Cowan’s heart. That year she taught us a song taken directly from the Psalms. I still think of her when I read it.


“Create in me a clean heart O God. And renew a right Spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence. And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit.” Psalm 51:10-12
At the time I did not know the Lord. But singing that song stirred something inside. The seed was sown. A year or so later I trusted Him to seal me with His Holy Spirit.* And often I thank the Lord for the patience of a very faithful teacher.

*Ephesians 1:13,14; 4:30 is a great place to read for more about the Holy Spirit.

Adoptive Parents

by   December 26, 2022 with No Comments

At the Christmas season it is important to realize that God loaned us His son. God sent His son to Mary and Joseph… they were called upon to adopt and raise Jesus. That is a HUGE job and it requires faith and love. Here is a story by Steve Hartman about a woman who had to give up her son for adoption. The story gets better….

Welcome Christmas!

by   December 24, 2022 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Welcome Christmas Day!

            As I sit down to write, it is a few days before Christmas. I know that as you read this it will either be Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The anticipation of the day’s arrival has reached a peak and now it is time to enjoy the celebration of the birth of our Lord.

            I just came in from a walk. I really enjoy seeing all the Christmas decorations in my neighborhood. I enjoy talking to the Lord as I walk and He encouraged me to be still and listen. I noticed several sounds: the squirrels rustling in the leaves, birds chirping in some trees, and the sound of distant traffic. Once I identified the sounds I then recognized what He wanted me to hear…peacefulness. It was so peaceful and quiet. My heart and mind leapt for joy at the sound of peacefulness.

            The sky was a milky blue. The clouds are filtering in, a sign of the rain that is to come. A few days ago the weather models were hinting at the possibility of a white Christmas. We will be plenty cold but it looks like we will miss the magic of a white Christmas this year.

            I was thinking about the struggles some are facing at what we call the most wonderful time of the year. Some travelers are likely to spend Christmas stuck in airports. Some people are struggling with health issues at home while others are struggling with them in the hospital. Some folks are struggling with sadness because as they sit down to the Christmas feast there is an empty chair because a loved one as gone to their heavenly home.

            Can you imagine the struggles that Mary and Joseph faced? They had to walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  It was roughly a hundred and fifty miles and Mary was nine months pregnant! They arrive and can’t find a place to sleep. Then Mary goes into labor and she needs a clean, warm place to have her child.

            They could not find a decent place to bring the Son of God into the world. How were they feeling? Do you think Joseph felt inadequate? Were they worried? Were they struggling with fear? They must have felt like they had failed God because the only place they could come up with was an animal stall.

            The baby arrives. They are both exhausted from the journey and the process of having a baby. Joseph the carpenter had a beautiful crib back at home but the best he can come up with is a feeding trough. He probably feels he has failed God and Mary.

            Then, just as they catch their breath and the baby falls asleep, some shepherds come rushing in. They are trembling and begging to see the child. They share a tale of angels singing out in the fields and the news that the long-expected Savior was born. They fall on their knees and gaze in wonder at the baby lying in the feeding trough. Mary and Joseph watch in wonder.

            The shepherds leave. They are alone with the baby. They look in wonder at his beautiful face. Maybe they haven’t failed God after all. Maybe He was with them, guiding them all along. The warm cave… the midwife… was God watching over them? Was God meeting their needs? Could God actually be pleased with them?

            I want to encourage you this Christmas season to take a deep breath and set aside all the worry about making sure everything is perfect. Look around for those you know who are struggling with challenging circumstances. Consider how you might share your joy with them. It can be as simple as listening, sharing a hug, or even an encouraging word that can help lift another soul. Sometimes we all find ourselves like Mary and Joseph, wondering if we got it all wrong only to discover that God is right there with us.

            It’s Christmas and I believe God wants to give you some very special gifts. He has a box of peace for your heart and mind. He has a stocking full of joy that is far better than happiness because joy is focused on Jesus and our eternity with Him. His heart is full of unconditional love for you. If you will open your heart and lift up your head He’ll pour it right in. He has a plate full of mercy and forgiveness because Jesus came to restore your relationship with God your Father. Jesus loves you and Christmas is the proof of it. Life isn’t perfect, but God’s love for you is. Open and accept His gifts. Press on! I know you are going to make it. Merry Christmas and God bless each and every one of us.

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

Nothing Is Until It Is

by   December 23, 2022 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

For the past few weeks I have been reading Oswald Chamber’s study of Genesis. Yesterday I read, “The ark stands as a reminder that nothing is until it is,” and “God can only do the impossible,” both comments concerning Genesis 4.

At first I was puzzled by his comment concerning the Ark, but comfortable with his observation about God and the impossible. The first quotation caused me to pause, and the second seemed exactly what a reader would find in a study of Genesis. But the more I thought of my reading, I was reminded of how effortless we often make Biblical stories like the one of the Ark. But as I pondered Chambers’ words, I came to understand that he is offering a deeper examination and understanding into the nuances of the Ark and the possibilities of God.  

Above I used the word “effortless” intentionally because, for me, it describes exactly how we often teach such stories as the one of the Ark, or the exploits of Sampson, or how we make the birth of Jesus so convenient. Yet do we give these stories, and others, their just due or are we somewhat dishonest in our re-telling? The way we tell  them is almost magical—the large boat is built by a few people and all the animals arrive, while neighbors ridicule the builders; Sampson is a womanizer who performs a last feat after he is blinded; and the young and very pregnant Mary rides a donkey for miles, over rough terrain before giving birth.

But these Biblical stories and many more, even in our romanticized telling, show that “nothing is until it is.”  Yes, humans can do what is possible, but God does or can do (if He chooses) the impossible.  Only He can destroy the world to save it; use a womanizer to teach a lesson; and give hope through a lowly birth.

The Ark did not exist until God willed it, and at this time of the year we celebrate the birth of a baby who changed the world. You see, “… nothing is until it is.” God gives us His grace while doing the impossible. That leaves the possible-love for and faith in Him-up to us.

Important Vitamins and Minerals

by   December 22, 2022 with No Comments

By David Freeze

During my most competitive years, the 30s and 40s, I chased the latest supplement that was supposed to give me an edge. With only one exception, I never found anything taken in supplement form that mattered to my performance. What I did find was that eating to cover the basics did more to help with training, racing and general well-being.

Below are some of the vitamins and minerals that matter, and it’s my suggestion that we all should pay attention to getting them.

  • Iron — Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to muscles for improved endurance. The highly active, especially women, can be iron deficient. Red meat, fish, raisins, tofu, lentils, white beans and spinach are all great sources of iron and active women need about double the requirement for men.
  • B vitamins — Folate, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6, B12, pantothenic acid and bioten. They break down carbohydrates into glucose for energy and help process fat and protein. B12 is most important because it enhances red blood cell production and DNA synthesis. Red blood cells remove carbon dioxide and carry oxygen making them essential to endurance athletes. Sources are chicken, beef, leafy greens, eggs, milk and beans.
  • Vitamin D and calcium — Both work together for bone health. Calcium works to keep your bones stronger and as an anti-inflammatory but is only fully absorbed when vitamin D levels are correct. Even outdoor athletes may not get enough of vitamin D. You can find both items in dairy items like cheese, milk and yogurt and will be best absorbed in the full-fat options. Salmon is another great source of both items.
  • Vitamin C — Known for fighting off sickness, vitamin C is a major immunity booster, and we can load up on it with foods like broccoli, peppers, kiwi and citrus. Most powerful is the yellow bell pepper that carries about four times the recommended daily allowance.
  • Magnesium — Playing a major role in nerve and muscle function, magnesium also assists in protein, fat and carbohydrate synthesis plus electrolyte balance. Without enough magnesium, the muscles and nerves can become stressed with both cramping and involuntary spasms possible. Try for a daily mix of deep green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
  • Potassium and sodium — Potassium is one of three major electrolytes and works with sodium for proper muscle contraction, heart function and communication between nerves. Both micronutrients work together to maintain proper fluid balance in the body. Losing electrolytes through sweat can lead to fatigue and cramping but potassium and sodium help restore proper hydration. Potassium sources are bananas, white potatoes, oranges, beans, salmon and milk. A baked potato with a dash of salt is a quick fix for rebalancing electrolytes after intense endurance exercise.

Most long-term exercisers begin to crave some of the foods listed above. For me, I eat most of the non-meat items listed here and no longer regularly take any supplements. I do use a basic multi-vitamin regularly.

Much of the information listed here came from my studies supplemented by a recent Outside magazine article. I found that many serious athletes gain knowledge of what food works for them, and the specific vitamins and minerals found in them. The super-supplement seldom delivers as advertised and goes by the wayside eventually. I did find some perceived success with a product called spirulina, a type of algae used by the Aztecs and grown in space by NASA astronauts. It is popular with some endurance athletes.

Racing takes a break locally for a few weeks with the next event scheduled on Jan. 2, the Bradshaw Financial Planning Resolution Run 5K. It’s a low-key event with a nominal entry fee meant to get your running/walking off to a great start for the New Year. A 9 a.m. start at The Forum nets complete results, refreshments and a quality shirt left over from a previous race. Proceeds benefit Rowan Helping Ministries.

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

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