My drop, measured by inches, was short. I had fallen only about eighteen inches, so that was good. The bad was that I was sitting on the wet pavement of the parking lot of my building as heavy drops of rain pelted everything in the dark, late night. I could not see my wheelchair because my sloppy transfer, instead of landing me in the seat, had pushed it backwards and it now rested somewhere behind me. The heavy, thick rain continued to drop in a steady rhythm as I tried to think of a plan: Tired from a long day and too much alcohol, I sat on the wet pavement that now carried a steady flow of water, drop after drop of rain adding to my self-imposed misery. I tried to push the muddle from my brain and think of a way to regain my position in the driver’s seat, but all I managed was to become more soaked from my head to my legs.
It was then that I saw him crossing the street. He approached me but no drop of rain touched him or his gleaming white shirt. He grew closer, and I noticed the contrast of his dark, brown hands with the bright, white cuffs of his shirt. It was then that I remembered him from Douglas Airport in Charlotte and how he had pushed me and my heavy bag up a carpeted ramp when I was having trouble navigating in a crowd. Now walking past me in the dark lot, he retrieved my wheelchair and placed it behind me. Those same brown hands now lifted me onto my soaked wheelchair seat. As I was putting my feet on the footrest of my wheelchair, I heard him say in the same voice from Charlotte, “You should take better care of yourself.” Then he was gone like a fallen drop of rain.
In Charlotte my heavy bag was about to drop from my lap as I tried to navigate a carpeted ramp in a rushing push of travelers. In the wet parking lot, my drop was again due to my excess and poor planning: Too much stuff in a too big bag, too much work, too much alcohol. But he came. Twice he rescued me from self-imposed trouble.
He has not appeared since. Perhaps because I have heeded his words to take better care of myself or whatever, I have not seen him, but I know he is present, ready to save me from my next drop.
Visiting more mountain state parks on July 16th was an easy choice. With highs in the mid-90s here, I headed for the cooler hills. My first stop was Stone Mountain State Park, the first of three parks for the day that I had never visited. From my guidebook, I expected to see glimpses of the granite dome as soon as I entered the park, but I didn’t. Over four miles in circumference, it stands at 2,305 feet and is the centerpiece of the park.
I stopped first at the park office for some tips on the best hiking, a map and my treasured passport stamp. The attendant looked at my back brace and suggested some easy hikes to see a waterfall and a short one to see the restored 1880s farm within the park. She told me about the prettiest falls in the park but cautioned me because of 300 steps down and back to see it from the base. The office had nice displays concerning the history and wildlife in the park. The park, opened in 1969, has 14,353 acres and tops out at 2,305 feet.
I drove to the lower hiking area and walked a portion of the Stone Mountain Loop Trail to see the Hutchinson Homestead, a wonderfully restored house, barn and a handful of other outbuildings required for the self-sufficient farm family of the late 19th century. All the buildings are closed to the public, but I would love to return someday to see the insides. Signboards told of the history of each building and most of them included photos of the Hutchison family in the early years of the farm.
Just behind the farm and slightly farther up the trail was my first sight of Stone Mountain, a genuine “wow moment”. I’ve seen spectacular scenery all across America and Canada and assure you the actual stone mountain ranks very highly, especially when viewed from the top of what I suspect was once a large hay field for the farm. Above all this on the top of the mountain is the highlight of the Mountain Loop Trail. Once my strength and balance recover more, I will do that one before 2024 is out.
I did the .75-mile Connector Trail to stand atop the Stone Mountain Falls, the one with the 300 steps down and of course 300 back up. Probably better seen in the late fall and winter with less foliage, I still couldn’t stand not to do the 300 steps. Solid wood steps with a railing helped and I was able to make the descent but could only see about half of the 200 feet of the falls due to the lush foliage. I met a couple on the way back up who said, “We saw you with the back brace and knew if you could make it, we had to do it!” I had a blast, but my heart was pumping!
I also walked the short distance to Widow’s Creek Falls, complete with plenty of standing water for a cool pool dip. My last stop in the park was the historic Garden Creek Baptist Church, established in 1897 and still holding services on Sunday.
Grandfather Mountain State Park is one of the newest state parks, opened in 2009. The 2,456 acre park doesn’t have an office but has nice trail-end bathrooms, benches and a parking lot off Highway 105 South. Still in developmental stage, the park is mostly wilderness with hiking trails, backcountry camping sites and beautiful views of Grandfather Mountain. The Profile Trail, the centerpiece of the park, climbs from the parking lot 3.6 miles over 1600 feet in elevation increase to the crest of the mountain. I walked about .75 miles of the trail, all well done with good footing and new steps. Other trails are at the Boone Fork Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
This is not the Grandfather Mountain home of the swinging bridge and other attractions. Operated by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation and located close by, this park charges an admission fee.
Lake James State Park, established in 1987, has 3,743 acres and 150 miles of shoreline. Lake James was created by Duke Power in the early 1900s. The park office/visitor center is new and impressive. There is a 700 ft. swim beach area in the Paddy’s Creek Section of the park. I walked the Fonta Flora Trail, paved for a section down to the lake, that becomes a walking trail with the first of the many scenic views of the lake. Becoming packed dirt, it quickly crossed a steel bridge over a beautiful section of the lake, before more dirt trail.
Lake James was my tenth park, but the first with a major emphasis on mountain biking. Nearly 20 miles of trail with rated areas for beginners, intermediate and experienced bikers are exceptional, and I was surprised to see all of this promoted in the visitor center. In my view, these trails along with many of the hiking trails would be a great place for running too.
The lake has excellent facilities for swimming, boating (paddleboards, canoes, kayaks too), picnicking and fishing in or on its 6,812 acres of beautiful water fed by the Linville and Catawba Rivers.
Finally, a two-mile section of the Overmountain Victory Trail from the Revolutionary War along with at least nine other hiking trails, none rated strenuous, are available.
I am way excited to continue this quest of the NC State Parks. 10 visited with 32 more to go!
John 17:15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
Jesus prayed for us that we would be safe.
We were not to be taken out of the world, but rather be protected in it.
The evil one is real and he is out to get us, but we have this prayer that shields us.
Prayer: Thank You Lord that You are my helper and my ever intercessor and watch over me that the evil one can not harm me. I feel safe in You today. Amen.
Steve Hartman teaches us that anyone can do acts of kindness. It’s when we take a moment and stop thinking about ourselves and we think about someone else. As a teacher, I like to share his lessons with others. Watch today’s lesson…
It
brought me to a complete standstill. I looked up. A flock of birds flew
overhead. How do they do that? Every move was in complete sync. I
immediately gave credit to the prowess of their leader.
But… guess what? I found out that the birds actually take turns being the leader, and being the leader has no obvious benefits.
When a flock of birds is flying together in the
V-formation, they are able to take advantage of the aerodynamic effects
of flying behind one another – getting strength and energy from the
wings of the preceding bird. It is more important that a bird fly in the
right place than that he fly at the right time. They are cooperative
and work together.
When birds are part of a flock, it makes it easier to feed, to nest, and to escape predators.
1 Peter 5:2-3 says to feed the flock of God which is
among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but
willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Neither as lords
over God’s heritage, but as an example to our flock.
These verses are used to describe leaders of the
church, but cannot be overlooked by anyone that is leading someone
somewhere somehow sometime. That is all of us!
It is those who walk through life with us, work with us, and worship with us.
How are we to feed our flock?
* Feed the flock of God which is among you. This means
we are to have three meals a day ready at the appropriate time. (Just
kidding. I wanted to see if you were paying attention.) To ‘feed the
flock’ is not a command, but it is about encouraging and building up
those we see and spend time with in our daily lives.
* Taking the oversight of. To ‘take oversight of’
means to lead. We lead by showing others the way to a destination as we
go in front or beside of them while moving forward.
* Not by constraint but willingly. To feed the flock willingly means that you serve eagerly – not out of obligation.
* Not for filthy lucre. That means you don’t do it for
money or in a dishonorable or dishonest way. You do it for the right
reasons.
* But of a ready mind. That part speaks for itself. Have our minds ready!
*Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being
examples to the flock. As leaders feeding our flock – those among us –
we all need to be examples.
Even when doing good and important things for our flock – we sometimes fail to do it the way 1 Peter 5:2-3 instructs us to.
So even if our flock often feels more like a gaggle of
geese, a herd of goats, or a covert of coots, we all need to flock
around our flock – feeding them daily.
How about the benefits? That is in the next verse 1
Peter 5:4. It says that when the chief Shepherd shall appear, we shall
receive a crown of glory that fades not away.
I was taking my morning walk, and one of my favorite songs started to play. I relished the familiarity for a moment and, forgetting I was wearing earbuds, joined the vocalist singing, “How deep the Father’s love for us… how vast beyond all measure…that He would give His only Son…and make a wretch His treasure…How great the pain of searing loss…The Father turns His face away….as wounds which mar the Chosen One…bring many sons to glory.” The truth of those words really hit home all of a sudden. Did the Father trade His most precious son for me, for someone who really is a wretch? I truly am a worthless worm, and I deserve absolutely nothing! How could the Father possibly love me so much? As I was trying to think of an analogy to express my heart, I thought of one of my young clients. This client has several habits that are not only annoying but downright infuriating, and all of my skills are constantly tested by his behaviors and whole-body eye roll. Yes, definitely my least-favorite person, I thought. Then I wondered, is that who I am to the Father? Annoying and infuriating even? His least favorite person, perhaps, with all my disobedience and certain-that-i-know-best attitude. Yes. The Father choosing me over His Son would be like me giving up my most precious, beloved, treasured, and highly-valued son, Victor! In essence, “trading him in” for my very least favorite person! I thought my heart would burst at just the thought…
And I imagined this scene: I am sitting on a throne, staring Victor in the face and I’m pointing to the exit sign. And then I turn my head, so I won’t see him walk away; but now I am looking directly into the face of my least favorite person… and Very Least Favorite isn’t even vaguely aware of the sacrifice that just occurred… an extreme, anguish-filled, heart-wreaking sacrifice! For his benefit; for his promotion; for his eternal blessing and glory! I cannot even speak these words without emotion swelling, and overtaking me… What a scene in heaven that must’ve been… What do you think the angels must have thought and felt? The only grace is that they already had a full understanding of the Father‘s heart, that it was never to send Jesus away, but it was the only way to grant us access to relationship with Him. If I had been standing there that day among the Angels, human as I am, I think I might have run up to Father and grabbed his hand, and demanded that he not allow this atrocity to happen! Oh Father! This sacrifice will never be worth it! Look again at the one your Son is being sacrificed for… And realize that least favorite person will never return the feelings, the love, the vulnerability, the intimacy, that You have experienced with Your Son. Least Favorite could never possibly measure up in even one area!
And I can see and feel the Father placing His hand on my head and then sharing with me that it was Jesus’ desire to be the sacrifice! He actually counted it an honor and privilege, even, to serve the Father, and each one of us, in that way. He gently reminded me that Jesus had already walked through the pain, the betrayal, the frustration, because time doesn’t apply to Him the way it does to me. And somehow, because of his love for us, He found it bearable… And not only bearable, but Jesus counted it J O Y ! I can see myself, knees melting, trembling hands clinging to the Father‘s feet and begging for an explanation. Father utters only one word: “LOVE.” Those fiery, intense eyes become so kind and tender and gentle that I throw my arms around his neck and smother Him with kisses. When I pull away to take a breath, Jesus is right there, scars and all, glowing with glory. “It’s done. I did it for you, precious Rhonda. And I cannot wait to be with you forever!” My heart is thrilled beyond description, literally tingling with His nearness… my breath catches in my throat as Least Favorite glances in my direction. I’m so sorry, Jesus. Please, please forgive my, my …. You see my heart, Jesus. You know it’s been .. not right from the beginning with this client. But the circumstance wasn’t his fault and even if it was, I still can easily afford to extend a little grace to him. You’ve given me so much! Sacrificed your whole life me! How can I withhold from him patience and a real effort to understand? I cannot. I choose to let You soften my heart towards him. Help me extend just a little bit more of the compassion and mercy You have never withheld from me.
The screech of a hawk soaring above jerked me back to reality. My pace quickened to make up lost time, the rush of wind helping dry the dampness on my cheeks.
What a beautiful gift I had been given… more grace and mercy from my ever-loving, ever Present, ever-encouraging Father and Savior! I only pray that my impact on Least Favorite will be such that he, too, will recognize, appreciate, and embrace the sacrifice made for him.
“God is not looking for those who can but those who will.”
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” – Psalm 119:105.
Usually, on morning walks, I snap photos with my iPhone of flowers, plants, occasionally a critter, and sometimes the sunrise. Lately, I have been distracted by lampposts that are still lit in my neighborhood well after sunrise. If it was a dark winter morning and especially if it was snowing, it might feel magical—like walking among Narnia. But in the humid, bright summer, it just seems silly and unnecessary.
It is like the many competing voices after the Olympic opening ceremony in Paris or any recent event where multiple views can exist. We invite them into our lives most days by scrolling online on our platform of choice.
I read one such post earlier this week as I began my day – which was a mistake, for I should have christened the day by opening God’s Word. It was yet another voice telling us all how to interpret and how to feel. I felt aggravated and then angry, but I knew enough about myself and past missed opportunities on restraint not to comment or share. Still, I was frustrated. I shared that frustration with my husband, and then I just sat on the porch, prayed to my Father, and asked Him what to do with myself, my feelings, my interpretation, and my understanding. How do they matter, if they matter at all?
God met me right there in my prayer and reading. Not one, but two of my reading plans for that day had me in Psalm 7, where I read that “God feels indignation every day” – EVERY DAY. As one Bible study friend said, “Not just in the future where He will judge rightly, but even right now, today!” The Olympic ceremonies represented yet another day that God was indignant. Regardless of the intended messages of the event, it should be no surprise that the godless either inadvertently or intentionally devise wickedness. Psalm 7:14, says “the wicked man conceives evil, is pregnant with mischief, and gives birth to lies.” What a picture!
I read that He was indignant; now what? In another reading for that day (Psalm 37), I learned about God’s thoughts on evildoers and what their end will be. My response as a Christian? – to “trust him, be still, refrain from anger, forsake wrath, fret not yourself” because of those evildoers. Next in my scheduled readings were chapters 67 and 97, declaring God’s sovereignty and rule over the nations that will rejoice because of His judgments and that those who love the Lord should hate evil. Wow.
I wrote plenty of notes to teach myself and remind myself of what God wanted me to know. Then, I thanked God for being the only voice that matters to speak into any situation. His Word shines brighter than artificial implements.
Tomorrow’s news or feed will no doubt provide another opportunity to be reactive or quickly like and share someone else’s ideas. Be careful of subtly distracting enlightenment cloaked in self-proclaimed authority, especially unvetted religious authority. If God’s Spirit lives within us and we can read and understand God’s Word ourselves, we already have what we need to light our path clearly and brightly, and that is enough.
Ashlie Miller and her husband raise their five children in Concord, NC. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.
My garden has been weighing on my mind. With all the hot weather I haven’t wanted to work in the garden. The recent slightly cooler temperatures encouraged me to get out there. The weeds had taken over in two of my raised beds. I wanted to take back my garden beds and get them growing vegetables again.
I got two wheelbarrows full of weeds and spent vegetables out of the garden. I did get a small harvest of potatoes and butter beans out of the weeds. I was glad to get something out of that space. Once the weeds were gone I planted seeds in hopes of getting a nice fall harvest.
Most years I try to replant my garden around the beginning of August in hopes of getting a second harvest. It is normally hot so I will work late in the evening when it is cooler. I have actually been out there as late as midnight, weeding and planting my garden. I worked until about dark getting the two beds cleaned out and planted.
Last fall we got some of the best green beans that I have ever grown. We are hoping for the same result this year. I always plant some sunflowers for the birds. I have tried some broccoli and lettuce. I tried some pumpkins a couple of times but they weren’t ready for Halloween. One year I had a good crop of peas and beans but lost them all to an early freeze.
I never know what will produce and what won’t before we get a frost. Some years I have gotten lucky with some late tomatoes. It is hard to imagine cold weather when we are so hot. I have been lucky with late gardens in recent years, but gardening is a game against Mother Nature. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.
I am not a big gardening gambler. I will wait until the average last day for frost before I plant and I will use sheets to cover plants if a frost is possible. Sometimes I take chances, especially with a fall garden because I like to watch things grow. Planting seeds and watching them pop through the soil stirs hope inside me.
It should be the same in our spiritual lives. We should share our faith in Jesus with others. When we do, we are planting seeds in their lives. No one knows which seeds will grow and produce a harvest. We don’t know if our words or actions might be the thing that helps a person turn and accept Jesus as their Savior. We know the results if we don’t share our faith.
The trouble is that it is hard to share our faith. We take the risk of being rejected or ridiculed, or called a hypocrite if we aren’t perfect. Since we know that we aren’t perfect then the risk factor increases substantially. The other factor is that the enemy whispers to us that we aren’t worthy of sharing our faith. We know ourselves, so we sometimes listen.
We have to take our eyes off ourselves and look to Jesus. Do you want anyone to miss eternity in heaven with Jesus? I don’t. That means I have to swallow my pride and put all those worries and concerns out of my head. I need to be willing to take the risk, open my heart, and share why I believe in Jesus. There are so many ways God has come through for me in my times of need. Those stories are my testimony to God’s love for me. Those undeniably true stories can penetrate the darkness and hard hearts that I hope to reach.
Your journey of faith is a story that reveals the hand of God in your life. It reveals His faithfulness. It illustrates His mercy and forgiveness. It tells of His grace. It magnifies the depth and breadth of His love. It exposes His compassion and tenderness. Your story, my story, is worth repeating to anyone who will listen. It can melt the hardest heart and bring light into a lost person’s dark world.
I encourage you to share your story with people. To those of us who are saved, it encourages us as we deal with the daily struggles of life. To the lost it offers hope that there really is a God who cares deeply about our needs and wants. So many people see God as being far away when in reality He is really close. Our stories illustrate God’s love in vivid detail. Take the risk; you never know whose heart might be ready to respond to God’s love.
At the peak of Dream City Church’s roof sits a gleaming cross, that symbol of Christianity. The mission statement of Dream City Church is: “At Dream City Church, our mission is to lead people into a fully-devoted relationship with Jesus Christ by loving people, cultivating community, and inspiring hope.” On June 12, 2020 the church released this statement: “Dream City Church confirms it will be renting its facilities to Turning Point Action for their Phoenix event. Turning Point Action contacted Dream City regarding use of its facilities for a student event. Dream City prayerfully considered and then agreed. Turning Point Action subsequently informed Dream City that the President planned to speak at the event. Dream City’s facility rental does not constitute endorsement of the opinions of its renters. Each facility rental is a means to generate funds so that Dream City may continue to carry out its outreach vision – to reach the hurting and needy in the community for Jesus Christ.”
Both the Dream City Church’s mission statement and cross on its roof are symbols unless supported by action. The cross is an empty symbol when left on a roof or steeple or when worn around a neck. Until it is brought to the midst of humanity and used for good, it remains an empty symbol. The same applies to the quoted mission statement professing love, cultivation, and inspiration. All three of those words are useless when used as nouns and in order to do the work of Jesus, they must become verbs. Action is required.
In its statement explaining the rental to Turning Point Action, the church states that it “prayerfully considered” before agreeing to rent its space to TPA. Only after agreeing was the church told President Trump would be speaking at the event. But the church only rents its space to generate funds to carry out its outreach vision.
All of this may cause Christians to believe that Dream City Church will “prayerfully consider” any request to rent its space because the generated funds will help it in its mission of loving, cultivating, and inspiring. And we are assured that “Dream City’s facility rental does not constitute endorsement of the opinions of its renters” which is good because the TPA crowd and its main speaker roiled the sanctuary with racist chants.
I have gone online to the church’s website but have yet, on the afternoon following the event, to see a posted apology for what occurred in its sanctuary. Until I do, I will believe that Dream City Church is pleased with its thirty pieces of silver and the rants full of hate. And the dream that that hate engenders.
My second day of visiting state parks was a last-minute decision, although I was prepared. I realized I had a free day on July 10th and headed north again right after my early morning walk. With local highs predicted around 95, I once again headed for the mountains.
I started out with the 1800-acre Rendezvous Mountain State Park near Purlear, one of the oldest state parks and first established in 1926. The Civilian Conservation Corps built a road in, a cabin and some trails in the 1930s. The park was then transferred to the NC Forest Service, then transferred back to the state park system in 2022. The park’s name comes from the Revolutionary War period when the Overmountain Men patriots used Rendezvous Mountain as a meeting point before heading to the 1780 Battle of King’s Mountain.
Rangers were meeting in the park office when I visited. There is a Talking Tree’s Trail of .6 mile but none of them mentioned anything to me. Another short trail up the mountain found the 1936 Aeromotor Fire Tower loaded with various antennas for communication purposes. Although tower access is prohibited, it isn’t locked. The CCC cabin appears in great shape. I saw only two other visitors while there.
The New River State Park Wagoner Access Area is near Laurel Springs and is part of 3,323 acres. New River is considered one of the five oldest rivers in the world and is unique in that it flows north. A 26.5-mile segment of the 320-mile river is part of the park system. I walked the Fern Nature Trail which loops through a natural area, the canoe access point along the river and one of the finest camping areas that I have seen in my travels. A huge bathhouse and shower facility is central to the campground. Three other trails in the park include the strenuous four-mile Riverbend Back Country Trail.
Other access areas are located on US 221, another full amenity point, and at Elk Shoals, a smaller area where tubing and a beach area are the main focus. Three other areas don’t have road access and offer less amenities. They are located at Allegheny, Prathers Creek and Riverbend.
The New River has a gentle current flow and is generally shallow, perfect for all abilities. Canoes, kayaks and tubes are available from local outfitters and fishing is good on the river. I have never considered canoe camping but left the area with that thought in mind.
Next was Mt. Jefferson State Park, also 3,323 acres, and named for President Thomas Jefferson in 1952. Jefferson’s father, Peter, owned and surveyed the land in the 1700s. Mt. Jefferson became a state park in 1956 after area citizens acquired the minimum acreage to qualify for that designation. The peak is 4,683 feet of black metamorphic rock. Legend holds that slaves traveling the Underground Railroad used the mountain hideaways.
The entrance road has little to see until reaching the small park office and maintenance area. I found it unattended, as I was told to expect at New River State Park. I found a small map/brochure and the passport stamp that I required in a little birdhouse looking box on an outside wall. I saw only one worker in the park, yet it was beautiful and well-kept while focusing on overlooks and several hiking trails.
The Sunrise and Sunset Overlooks are spectacular, especially the rock facing of the Sunset one. It was a great place for pictures for those who dared to step out on the rock overhang. The entrance road ends near the summit with a huge picnic area and a large pavilion shelter with fireplace. Restrooms are available there, and also at the park office.
I chose to walk the .3-mile Summit Trail, labeled as strenuous although I called it disappointing. The trail was smooth gravel and did reach the summit and another communication tower, though all views were more or less blocked by trees and bushes. Other trails from the summit include the 1.1 mile Rhododendron Trail and the .75-mile Lost Province Trail. Notably, at the summit, I experienced a midafternoon temperature of 73 degrees. The park is considered a wilderness natural area.
My final park visit for the day was the 4,423-acre Elk Knob State Park, at the end of the some of the most winding mountain roads I’ve seen. Constant switchbacks going up through beautiful mountain country ended on Meat Camp Road at the entrance into one of the newer state parks. First established in 2003, the park’s name comes from the elk that once wandered the area in the 1700s. Meat Camp Road gets its name from the local area that was home to a meat packing house used by hunters before the Revolutionary War.
Hiking is the main attraction at the park and a nearly full trail parking area suggested that Wednesday was a busy day on those trails. The half-mile Maple Tree Run trail was the one I hiked and read that it is used in winter for snowshoe and cross-country skiing, though never wide enough for two skiers to pass easily. The 1.9-mile Summit Trail accesses the two Elk Knob overlooks. Elk Knob tops out at 5,520 feet, aiding the cool 67 degree temperature I enjoyed. A backcountry group camp and primitive camping sites can be found on the 3.8-mile Backcountry Trail.
Seven parks visited and 35 to go, because the correct total of state parks is now 42 after Rendezvous was added back in.
