Columns – Page 111 – EncouragingU

An Encounter with Majesty

by dcreamer October 10, 2021 with No Comments

By Graham Cooke

Old Times

by dcreamer October 9, 2021 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Old Times

I opened Facebook the other day and saw a post about homecoming from a former colleague at East Davidson. The memories began to flood back of all the homecomings over the years: the dressing up, the overly-excited students, the pep rally, and of course, the pizza sale. What a full day, and then there was the football game that night. Some of the pictures she posted were inside the halls that I walked for many years. The memories!

Ironically, my alma mater had a posting about homecoming: the Kempsville Chiefs from Virginia Beach. I started to hear more about Kempsville High School because I joined their reunion page. The committee was planning the 40^th class reunion. I can’t believe I graduated 40 years ago. I decided not to go the reunion. Some of my high school friends decided we would get together once the pandemic quiets down.

My memories were stirred even further by an email from a reader in High Point. The reader wanted to touch base with me and the name was so familiar. I placed the call, and after a few pleasantries I asked if he attended Grace Church in High Point, my former church from 20-plus years ago.

He was indeed a member of that church. We shared our stories since last we had seen each other. Since he still lived in the area, he knew what had happened to most of the people I knew from my days there. Sadly or happily, depending how you look at the situation, many of them were home with the Lord. The former pastor and his wife, Art and Claudia Carlson, have both passed. Some of the members are still alive and serving the Lord.

The conversation turned to some of the children that I taught in children’s church or in the youth group. Many of them are parents themselves now and still actively serving the Lord. There are a couple of those kids that I follow on Facebook. I actually follow a few of my former students on Facebook. It is so interesting to see what my past students are doing. I have run into a few students through the years, and it is so fun to hear what they are up to now. One proud mother told me that her son was playing football at her alma mater. I got to see one former student watch her son graduate from her alma mater, a memory I will treasure the rest of my life.

When memories are good, it’s good to reflect on them, to remember the good times in our lives. Whether it is friends, experiences, or special moments, good memories can help us when life challenges us with difficult moments. Memories can warm the heart. They can be a source of encouragement and strength.

I believe that God wants us to remember our experiences with Him from the past because they become our testimonies. Our testimonies can be a great source of encouragement as we face today’s challenges. If we remember how the Lord came through for us in the past, then we can be assured that He will come through for us now.

Our testimonies are also important for others. When someone is going through what you have been through, they can see how God came through for you. It can encourage and strengthen their spirit so they can press on. The truth is God wants to use your testimony to help others endure and know that they are not alone. The enemy keeps telling you no one has ever been through what you are going through…you are all alone.

The truth is God is on our side. We are NEVER alone. That’s why God sends us people with testimonies of His goodness. He wants us to know that He worked things out in the past for them, so He will certainly do it again for us. He may do it a little differently this time because He is a creative God, BUT He will come through for us.

I want to encourage you to stir up your memories of how God worked in the past. Allow them to encourage you and others. A walk down memory lane can really help someone who is discouraged. While sharing a laugh can often help lighten a load, your testimony can be the wind beneath someone’s wings. God is good and He always comes through for us. No matter how dark the skies look at the moment, know that the Son will break through for you.

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

Everyone Can Do Pushups

by dcreamer October 5, 2021 with No Comments

By David Freeze

I am a pushup nut. I love doing them, and normally will challenge myself each morning, right after my run, to reach a certain number completed properly.

We all need to maintain a certain level of strength, especially if not involved in regular physical work. The two best ways, in my opinion, to maintain acceptable arm strength are planks and pushups. I’ve written about planks recently, and today we’ll cover pushups.

Pushups are for everybody. No equipment needed, except comfortable clothes. Honestly you can do pushups in about anything. I wear shoes instead of doing them barefoot.

Here is what makes a proper pushup. With your arms straight, glutes clenched, and abs braced, steadily lower yourself until your elbows are at a 90-degree angle or less. Try to keep your elbows relatively close to your body and keep note of when they start to flare out as you get tired. Once your chest (or nose/chin) touches the floor (or your arms go down to a 90-degree angle), pause slightly and then push back up until you’re at the starting position. I count the pushup to be complete at the 90 degree angle of the arms, but pushing below that is even a better workout.

Admittedly, many folks can’t do a proper pushup from the floor. Here is a plan where almost anyone can do progressive pushups to strengthen their arms. Even at the minimum level, strength will improve and your arms will look better too. Your balance will improve too.

Beginners with little arm strength should start with a wall push up. Stand next to a wall, place both hands flat with palms open against a wall. Start with feet shoulder width apart, about two to three feet from the wall. Lean forward, resting with your hands against the wall and then push your shoulder away from the wall. Try to do 10 reps, 3-4 sets of each.

Counter level: Try a counter pushup. Find a solid counter or shelf at or just above waist height. Back away from the counter or shelf and try the 10 reps, 3-4 sets at this level.

Bench level: Use a solid or anchored piece of furniture and follow the same routine.

Knee pushups: Hold yourself up on your hands and knees, with the body in a straight line from shoulders to knees. Lower down to the ground before pushing back up.

The goal of this progression of pushups is to get your body closer and more prone with the ground. Here is an estimated percentage of body weight lifted at each level.

• 4-foot elevated pushup (wall): 9%

• 3-foot elevated pushup (countertop): 20%

• 2-foot elevated pushup (bench): 36-41%

• Knee pushup: 49%

• Regular push-up: 64%

Do these pushup workouts every other day, with a rest day in between. It will be normal for a little upper arm and chest soreness to develop. That just means you are waking up muscles, either seldom used or under used. Be consistent and be committed. Progress to the next level when you can do 3 sets of 10 reps each. Good luck, you are on the way to your best possible level of pushups and increased arm strength!

Races are just ahead. We have the T-Man’s 5K race in Mooresville on Oct. 9 and the Spooky Sprint 5K at Catawba College on Oct. 31. The Butterball 5K at the Forum on Thanksgiving Day is on, as well. Currently, we have two December races with more details later. Complete details at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Three of the nation’s most popular marathons are happening live. The Chicago Marathon on Oct. 10, the Boston Marathon on Oct. 11 and the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 31.