Bill Johnson shared this on his YouTube channel. It is a previous teaching that I imagine he is reflecting upon. If you didn’t know, his wife just passed away. His heart is broken and he needs a healing touch. Please pray for Bill and his family during this difficult time.
By Doug Creamer
This morning began on a concerning note. I was driving to work when I saw a car coming from the opposite direction being chased by three police cars. As they zoomed past me all I could do was pray for everyone involved. I hope that no innocent people were hurt and that the situation resolved in a positive way.
This evening’s garden check also included a disconcerting sight. I discovered a black snake wrapped up in the netting that I have wrapped around my blueberry bushes. He was so tightly wrapped that I thought he was already gone. As I started to cut away the mesh he started to move. I worked for a while to free the snake but he got anxious and kept opening his mouth towards me. I didn’t want to get bit in the process of setting him free, but eventually I was able to cut the netting away and free the snake.
These two events reminded me of a discussion I had this week about writing. A group of us were talking about how authors get ideas for their stories. I said that authors choose topics or themes about which they are passionate. Some of the themes we discussed were love, coming of age, growing older, overcoming, revenge, good versus evil, and addiction.
The topic of addiction struck a chord with several in the group. One individual shared how an addiction had destroyed the marriage of a co-worker. He went on to share that when the person finally got help for his addiction he was able to turn his life around.
Another woman shared how she had gotten free from addiction through faith in Jesus. She struggled to understand why others she knew did not want to be freed from the same addiction in their lives. Despite numerous attempts to share her story, they continue on in their addiction. “Why don’t they follow the same path I found?”
Several in the group tried to explain to her that the nature of addiction keeps people trapped, even when they can see a path out. One person put it best, “people will remain trapped in addiction until they finally decide that they want to be free.” She kept asking us, how can she help these people? We told her that prayer was her best and most powerful tool. We all also encouraged her to never give up on her friends. We told her to keep encouraging them, praying and hoping that they would take the path to their freedom.
One individual concluded that we are all weak and broken in different ways. We each have a need for our Savior’s help to change and overcome the struggles that we face. Your struggles are real to you and my struggles are real to me. We all want to live right for God, but we have to learn to let Him help us.
The Bible tells us that none of us are righteous or always make the right choices. Thankfully, the book of Romans teaches us that while none of us is good enough to earn God’s favor, God in His mercy and love made a way for us to be right with Him. When we invite Jesus to be our Savior, He comes to live inside us. It’s Him living inside of me that makes me right with God. The Bible makes it clear that there is nothing I can do. It is the free gift of God to all who will open their hearts to receive it.
The only hope I have to change is inviting Jesus to live inside me. He will help me change, making me righteous in the process. Anything I might try to do in my own strength counts as nothing. I have to learn to work with Jesus if I hope to bring lasting change and eternal rewards. If I ever hope to live a better life I have to live by faith in Christ and what He does in and through me.
I want to encourage you to invite Jesus to live in you and to work through you. Real change in your life comes when you allow Christ to work out your salvation in and through you. Knowing you don’t have to do it on your own ought to give you courage to press through the challenges. He wants the best for you and will work in you if you invite Him in. Open the door of your heart to Him and watch what He can do as you cooperate with Him.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
By Roger Barbee
In the first round of the 1925 U.S. Open of golf, Bob Jones prepared to hit a wedge shot out of the 11th hole rough. He inadvertently touched his ball with the wedge, causing it to move slightly. He penalized himself one stroke. The officials could not verify that the ball had moved, so they left the one-stroke penalty assessment up to Jones, who was adamant that his ball moved. A one-stroke penalty that no one, but Jones, had witnessed. After regulation play Jones was tied with Willie Macfarlane, and he lost the 18-hole playoff to him. When folks congratulated Jones on his honesty he replied, “You might as well congratulate me for not robbing a bank.”
In today’s climate, I think of Jones often because I read or hear of so many people wanting to glorify a person for doing his or her job, to perform the job as is in the job description. No person should be given extra applause for doing what is required or needed. That is why he or she is there in the position—to perform by overcoming obstacles and difficulties encountered in doing the prescribed work,
As a wrestling coach, I reminded my charges that iron sharpens iron, a paraphrase of Proverbs 27:17. Those three words were printed on the back of our team tee-shirts. The wrestlers understood that the best way to help a teammate become a better person and wrestler was to be a hard surface on which to sharpen. In so doing, both became better.
All cultures need heroes, folks to admire for their integrity and courage and grit. However, let’s not set the bar too low. After all, if we do we might as well congratulate someone for not robbing a bank.
We all get knocked down. The question is, “Will we get back up?” We have to choose. Here is a story about a dog who got knocked down but wouldn’t stay down…. Watch Steve Hartman’s story…..
By David Freeze
January 2022 had many local runners hoping for a return to normal with local racing and running events. They were tired of COVID restrictions and ready to test themselves. January to the end of June filled most expectations. The Resolution 5K and the 39th Annual Winter Flight had solid attendance. Many race directors and organizations watched to see how the first races would go. Most of the regular spring races returned with decent attendance on average.
On Thursday, I realized that two things were happening. After six months, I hadn’t missed a day of pushups nor had any expected races been canceled. Both were significant. I hadn’t done six months of pushups ever and so many races were cancelled in the last two years that often we didn’t know for sure even up to the last minute if they would happen.
July through December looks strong this year, with most of the reliable events returning and at least three exciting new races in the works. Saturday’s Missions 5K in Faith was first in line. Never a big race, but one of the best planned, this event was one of the first events for the Faith Fourth of July.
Next up on July 16 is the Run for the Greenway 5K at Knox Middle School. This is one of the oldest races in Salisbury and rumored to have one of the best post-race refreshment spreads too.
August will have a Prediction Run 5K on Aug. 13 at City Park. The concept is as follows. Each runner predicts the time that they can run a 5K (3.1 miles) and then they have to try to match that time without carrying a watch or phone, or any other way to track time. The closest to the runner or walker’s prediction is the winner, regardless of pace, age or gender.
September has all three of the new and exciting races and the first one kicks off things on Sept. 3. Livingstone College has a brand new football field and track, where the Blue Bear Labor of Love 5K will finish. Sept. 3 is also gameday for the first Catawba College/Livingstone College football game in a while and all participants get a ticket to the game that evening.
The Run for the Word 5K is next on Sept. 10 in Landis, the first race there in a few years. The race is hosted by Trinity Lutheran Church and sponsored by Merrill Family Dentistry, with all proceeds going to pay for the Bible teachers in the South Rowan area schools. This is hands-down the fastest 5K course locally at present.
And the newest and just now in the works is the Run to the River 5K, hosted by Spencer and Rowan Moves. A bicycle ride and kayak event on the Yadkin are also part of a busy afternoon on Sept. 24. The 5K will start near the fire department and will finish at the Yadkin with the post-race activities held there.
The busiest month is October with four races. The Salisbury PD’s Foot Pursuit 5K shifts to Oct. 1. Not technically in Rowan, but close to many hearts here is the T-Man’s 5K in Mooresville on Oct. 8. The Halloween duo of the St. Matthews 5K on Oct. 29 and the Spooky Sprint on Oct. 30 are always filled with fun and costumes.
November has the Clean Water 5K at Grace Lutheran Church on the Nov. 12 and the always popular Butterball 5K at the Forum on Thanksgiving Day as the only races so far. December has the Freeze Your Buns 5K in Spencer on Dec. 3 at Winterfest and Santa’s Run for Hunger 5K on Dec. 10.
All of these events are open to runners and walkers, and most will have a fun run for kids.
Another Beginning Runners Class is set for eight weeks beginning on Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Salisbury PD.
Keep track of all of this at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org
Have a wonderful Fourth of July!
By Lynna Clark
Back to Nehemiah 7:70. The Lord gives us another list of numbers and people. “Some of the family leaders gave gifts for the work.” Then he tells who gave what. Gifts ranged from 19 pounds of gold, which sounds huge, until you get to the 1.3 metric tons given. What beautiful generosity! The Lord also gives details of those who gave useful things like basins and robes for the priests. Cool. This little paragraph, verses 70-72, looks almost like an “Oh, by the way, some people gave.” It came so naturally.
We attended a revival meeting in Charlotte one time when we were so poor that there was nothing in our pockets. And there sure wasn’t anything in the checkbook. The renowned evangelist bellowed from up front, “As the ushers come by, if they notice you don’t put anything in the offering, they will assume you have nothing and they will hand you something to give!” I could have literally crawled under the pew. I was almost sick on my stomach with worry as the ushers approached us. The dude in the beautiful suit had no idea what we were going through. Kinda makes me bitter just recalling the event. People have a way of tainting our hearts when it comes to giving.
Scripture speaks to us about money in a different tone. The Lord already knows what we have, and what we don’t. Remember the story of the little widow who dropped in her last coin? Jesus was so pleased to point her out to His friends, because He knew how poor she was. At that time in history, rich people were assumed to be granted immediate access to Heaven and favor with God. In the story of the rich young ruler, who went away sorrowful, Jesus says, “Sure is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom.” The disciples say, “Well if the rich can’t enter, who can?” It’s then that Jesus points out that the ones who give up houses, friends, riches, etc. are the ones rewarded a hundred times more!
In the story of the guys given money to invest for their boss, the reminder at the end says, “Faithful in little things, ruler over many.” What is the little thing? It’s money. Money is such a big thing to us. It gets us stuff. To the Lord though, it’s a little thing.
“…ruler over many.” Ruler where? What’s He talking about? Do you think He saves us so we can float on clouds? I’m not well versed on prophesy. But I do know He speaks often of the Kingdom. Even in the Lord’s prayer, He tells us to ask for it to come. Maybe we’ll be rulers there? Just a thought.
Money; it’s a test of faithfulness; a trust monitor; an opportunity to bless; a proof of our love; a way to build His kingdom; a tool to reach others. And of course you are familiar with the verse that reveals that the “Love of $$ is the root of all kinds of evil.” So it sounds like we need to pay attention to what is important, lest we end up on the wrong side of money. Some gave a bunch, some gave less, but the people in Nehemiah’s day were wise enough to recognize God’s faithfulness in rebuilding their lives and homes. And they returned a blessing to Him. Are we there yet?
Dear Lord, keep us from turning our hearts off when we are prompted to give. Help us think of money like You do… “such a tiny offering, compared to Calvary.” Help us to know how to use all You have blessed us with to honor You. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.
More: Luke 18:18-30; 1 Timothy 6:10,17-19; Malachi 3:10; Luke19:11-27; Luke 21:1-4
Here is a video from the beach…. Enjoy the sound of the ocean sounds and the encouraging words….
By Doug Creamer
It’s OK to Rest
On the morning of the 4th of July, I opened Facebook to see the many patriotic pictures that my friends had posted. Most of my friends were posting pictures of family, friends, and pets all decked out in red, white, and blue. Some people posted videos of fireworks, which were fun to watch.
I was looking forward to my family gathering. Many years ago, my wife and I hosted the family gathering, which included some fun times over at the Faith festival and an afternoon water fight. The water fights always started with squirt guns but ended up with the water hoses. We would all get soaked, but we created memories that will last for a lifetime.
My brother and I are teaching our grand-nephews about water fights. We started this year with squirt guns because the boys are little. The family gathering was great this year, and included delicious food, plenty of laughter, and a fireworks display. It is nice to spend some time with family and relax.
It is also nice that for one day we as a country can forget our political differences and celebrate that we are Americans. We are blessed to live in the best country in the world. We are thankful for all the men and women who have served and are serving in our military. We are also thankful for all the police, firefighters, and EMS workers who work tirelessly to keep us safe here at home.
The 4th of July afforded me a few days off from work. I know I am only working part-time, but I still enjoy having a few days off. Before the break started I was thinking about what I wanted to get done while I was off. I had a mental list going, but never wrote it down. As I told you recently, I like having lists so I can check things off and get that feeling of accomplishment.
The first couple of days off I slept and did very little. I had been burning the candle at both ends and my body just wanted to rest. I tried to get motivated, with few results. I had the opportunity to catch up with a few friends and relished those moments. I did all my regular chores but found myself reading, watching TV, and trolling the internet.
I did some small, quiet tasks that have been on my radar. I worked peacefully out in my garden weeding, mulching, and replanting where the rabbits and squirrels have eaten and ruined some areas. I can see where I cleaned, straightened, and put things away, and it makes me feel good. There is always more to do.
I noticed something the last couple of days of my break. There is this little spark inside. There is a little life that has rekindled. I really can’t explain it. I just know it’s there. I feel ready to engage, ready to get back to teaching. The flame inside is small and it will need to be guarded and fed, but there is something stirring and it feels good. It is a feeling of being refreshed.
I stay busy and on the go. I find it difficult to unplug and slow down. Resting is an important spiritual principle. To be honest, it’s not one I am very good at doing. God worked for six days to create our universe, and then He rested on the seventh day. Jesus sent the crowds away and His disciples across the lake so He could climb the mountain and have some disengaged quiet time with His Father.
Sometimes we can disengage at the beach or while going for a hike in the mountains. Our soul and spirit need times to quietly reflect. We can push ourselves at critical moments and our bodies will help us push through, but then we need to find a way to take a deep breath and rest. Everyone recharges their batteries in different ways. The key is to know yourself and give yourself permission to rest. There will always be a list waiting, but disengaging and resting can help you find renewed energy and creativity.
I encourage you to consider how you get refreshed and then give yourself the permission to do what you need to do to get the rest you require. Working from a place of rest will help you ultimately become more productive. Your mind will work better and your body will cooperate. Invite God into your place of rest and allow His Spirit to infuse yours. Jesus and God both rested. It’s okay for you to rest, too.
By Roger Barbee
As my wife Mary Ann and I watched the black mass move in from the northwest, we realized that the meteorologist had been correct: A large storm brewed in the eerie late afternoon quiet of a hot summer day. The black mass continued to roll over the land and the lake and soon its wind came. Each sudden and violent gust removed leaves and limbs from trees, made big sways in the tall pines, and caused the wind chimes to rattle. At times a lull came as if the wind was resting before the next blast of fierce wind. We watched, hoping that rain would come with the dark wind to bathe our dry garden. We watched and turned on lamps earlier than usual because the coming storm had shut daylight out with its roiling mass. But soon enough our hope was fulfilled, and we saw the rain, then smelled its richness as it covered trees, shrubs, flowers, every thing.
This is my fourth week of another storm in my life. After twenty careful years of life in my wheelchair, I developed a pressure sore because, very ill with COVID, I sat in the same position on a sofa for over a day. Boom! A massive pressure sore on my tailbone and buttocks. A pressure sore, like so many situations in life, is easy to get into, but difficult to get out of. And, like some of those things in life that, as Dr. Clarence Jordan writes, “tangle us all up”, they can be deadly. However, Mary Ann and I have treated it with diligence and respect: For the past four weeks I have been in bed on one side or the other except for three short sitting breaks each day. The sore heals, but slowly, through medical care and a releasing of any pressure.
After we ate dinner last night, we watched the storm and smelled the rain’s fresh scent. Leaving lamps lit, we went to our bed to watch a movie, a ritual begun to pass the bedtime caused by the pressure sore. During the movie the storm raged-its rain, thunder, and lightening reminding us of its presence. But after we had watched the movie and were letting the dog out, we noticed a red-orange glow in our front yard. Looking westward, we saw the sky aflame as if it and the lake were on fire. We watched nature’s show, realizing our insignificance compared to what we were seeing. Then, as the bright sky faded into the dark of night, we went to sleep. The next morning we received a photograph from our neighbor Doug in which he shared a photograph he had taken while we were watching the western sky: A double rainbow suspended in the same type of red-orange glow, but this one was in the east sky, over our split of the lake. We had seen one but not the other.
There are many epic stories of floods that destroy ancient civilizations. However, my favorite is the story of a solitary man who built a boat while being ridiculed by his peers. However, after the flood destroyed all but what he had taken on his boat, he is made a covenant. And as a reminder of that promise, a “bow” will appear in the clouds.
Storms bring good and bad, but I like to remember that after storms come “bows” and that is a promise in which I have faith. Like the double rainbow Doug photographed, we have been promised, and that will not be broken
By Ann Farabee
They called it Mill Hill.
That’s because the houses were on a hill near the mill. I called it my neighborhood.
I remember playing softball in the middle of that road daily, as I was growing up.
You may want to keep in mind a couple of previous columns where I mentioned my lack of athletic prowess — by finishing last in the mile run, and getting stuck on the rope in PE class. Playing softball was just as bad.
I was an easy out. I would not try to catch a ball nor would I chase the ball, and I backed away from fielding the ball.
Two things could stop our neighborhood ballgames — the street light would come on at dark, which meant it was time to go inside, or the ball would roll down into the dreaded dark storm drain pipe and be irretrievable.
I was not a fan of the dreaded dark storm drain pipe. As I lackadaisically headed to get to to the ball, others would pass me trying to get there before it went down the drain. Obviously, this type of occurrence is where the phrase “down the drain” must have originated.
Why didn’t I go after it? Why didn’t I try?
Was it because I could not pursue that ball, or that I would not pursue that ball?
I remember thinking:
• It is too hard.
• I can’t do it.
• I don’t have confidence.
• I don’t have skill.
• Why even try?
Paul is one example of someone in the Bible who decided to choose to pursue his purpose in life. He knew his suffering would have an eternal consequence. God had chosen him to suffer for the sake of the Gospel — and he was willing to pursue that purpose. When he said “yes!” to Jesus, he sold out for Christ. God did not waste any part of Paul — his background, his physical ability, his mind — and his weakness.
Wonder if he thought that it was too hard, he couldn’t do it, or he didn’t have the confidence or skill. He may have thought those things, but he knew that with God, he could do all things.
When God brings us to it, we should choose to pursue it.
Looking back, I really should have chosen to pursue those balls that went down the drain!
Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.