Day 41

by   September 28, 2021 with No Comments

By David Freeze

  Another strong day leaves just two remaining!


  For the first time, I slept from the time I lay down last night until the 5:15 alarm this morning. And my eyes didn’t want to pop open like they usually do. Yesterday just didn’t want to end but it finally did just before midnight. It was still a nice night at the Deerwood Inn, especially after meeting Celina and Josh.


    I considered jumping on the interstate at daybreak, figuring there wouldn’t be much traffic. I rode up the ramp and saw the sign that ended the internal debate. Essentially the same as what we have in NC. No bikes or pedestrians!


      I rode back to Madison on SR 53, then rejoined US 90 East and struggled with road choice early. US Bicycle Routes stayed with 90 and I did too as long as possible. It was the coolest morning probably since San Diego. I rode through Lee, a town that bills itself as “Little, but Proud”. Two stores made up the town, a convenience store and a Family Dollar.


Next came Live Oak, and Welborn, just before I left US 90 behind for now.


    I turned onto County Road 137 for 20 of the best miles since that first day in San Diego. All of it was lightly traveled,  nearly flat and just plain beautiful through mostly farming country. Next came SR 71 for the final ride of the day through Fort White and into High Springs, where I am tonight at the High Springs Country Inn.


    One highlight of today’s travel involved me pedaling along that good 20 mile road. Not another vehicle in sight, but the one behind me blows his horn. I motion in an agitated way to go on around, and am surprised to find that it was a Florida Highway Patrolman.


    I finally found the perfect overnight lodging. Here’s why. The room is great, spacious, priced right, comes with WiFi and plenty of ice, and is within about a tenth of a mile of a grocery, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Subway and a big enough convenience store. For the first time, I am not particularly hungry, even after 85 miles. I will still finish a quart and a half of strawberry though since the Y Service Club is paying for it.


    As an added benefit, there is an outdoor concert across the road. I am going to miss this life on the road!


    Here is the plan. I will have another usual day on Sunday as I head toward the St. Augustine Beach. Part of the day’s ride will include passing through Gainesville, a large Florida city. Then, if all goes well, I will actually dip the back tire Monday late morning in the Atlantic Ocean to officially end the adventure. I will get all the required photos, and head toward home. Good weather is still on tap through the period.


    There is still fun remaining! See you back here tomorrow, when I hope to be sleeping 20 miles out of the oldest city in the United States.

Ready to Rest?

by   September 27, 2021 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

I couldn’t help but smile when I saw the young mother whose T-shirt was imprinted with the words, “I’M SO TIRED.” Her six month old son had the words, “I’M NOT TIRED” on his T-shirt.

No matter the stage of life we are in, there is always a need for rest – even if we think we are okay without it.

Here are some examples about rest in the Bible:

*Exodus 3:17 – In six days God made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

*Mark 6:31-32 – Jesus took his disciples in a boat to get away from the crowds and to go into a time of rest.

*Matthew 8:24 – A great storm arose in the sea. The ship was covered with waves. Jesus was asleep. Yes, Jesus was resting in the middle of the storm!

Jesus demonstrated the importance of rest by resting, showing us that rest was refreshing and … restful.

So, what is rest? Definitions include:

  1. A bodily state characterized by minimal functional activity. (Sitting or reclining?)
  2. Freedom from labor. (Doing nothing?)
  3. A state of being motionless. (Perhaps a nap?)

Charles Spurgeon stated, “In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less.”

Convinced? Ready to rest? It will take dedication and commitment, but there are quite a few RE-wards when we  RE-st.

We can:

*RE-fresh

*RE-member

*RE-store

*RE-direct

*Re-lax

*RE-juvenate

*RE-cover

*RE-group

*RE-vitalize

*RE-connect

Ready to rest?

Let’s intentionally make time for rest and see how we like it!

As a teacher, I daily worked at home on lesson plans and grading assignments. I felt God leading me to commit to setting aside Sunday as a day of rest – and I did. Yes, I am talking about working six days a week and resting on the seventh day. (Not only did I stop doing schoolwork on Sunday, but housework, as well!) It allows more time with family, more time in worship, and I am rested and ready for the week ahead. It may very well have been one of the most helpful steps I have taken in my Christian life.

If you do not feel you can ‘jump’ into that commitment, how about a daily time of rest?

Take 10, 20, or 30 minutes daily where you do whatever you feel is restful.

Create your plan and schedule it into your day.

You deserve it.

God set the example.

Jesus set the example.

That’s enough for me.

Ready…Set…REST!

Welcome Fall

by   September 25, 2021 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            My Chinese students had a holiday from school this week. It is their Autumn Festival. It is a family gathering time, and they celebrate by eating special foods. The most popular thing they enjoy is Mooncakes. My students tell me it is a cake that is stuffed with either fruits or nuts.

            I checked my calendar and noticed that Autumn arrived on Wednesday. After the long, hot, and dry summer, I am ready for the refreshing change that fall brings. Fall is my second favorite season of the year, behind spring.

            Spring is a season of hope and renewal. I am always so excited to begin the gardening season. I love watching everything emerge from winter’s slumber. Spring green has got to be one of my favorite seasonal colors. Spring is a wonderful time of the year.

            Fall has many appeals as well. The cooler weather means that I can be outside more. I can’t stand the heat and humidity of August. I like pushing the limits of the growing season, and ultimately, cleaning out the garden. I like sitting outside or going for long walks, and the opportunity of doing some physical work.

            The downside for me is the watering eyes, runny nose, and sneezing of the allergy season… I take a break during the summer from my allergy medicine, and I know that will soon come to an end.

            The arrival of fall also alerts me to the upcoming winter season. I love to look at the long-term forecasts as weather enthusiasts make their winter predictions. I find it fun to note that the two almanacs are calling for completely different winter conditions for our area. One is calling for mild and wet, while the other is calling for cold and dry. I believe we are in for an overall mild winter with a couple of shots of cold weather. I am hoping the cold collides with some Gulf moisture to give us a couple of good snows, but I always hope for that.

            Winter will arrive all in good time. Right now I want to focus on and enjoy the cooler weather of fall. There are many chores that will demand my attention as we go through this season of change. I am ready to get started on all the tasks calling my name.

            I believe the Lord gives us seasons for our enjoyment. Each season has its beauty and wonder, but they also have trials and challenges. There are storms and dry spells, scorching heat and freezing cold. Each challenge helps us to appreciate the good days.

            I think the Lord wants us to see in the natural what happens in the spiritual. We all have seasons of growth in our lives. Usually that is followed by a season of fruitfulness. As the fruit wanes we discover a quieter season where we have to dig our roots deeper.

            In every season of our lives we will encounter storms. We have to remind ourselves that we will get through each storm that comes our way because God will be with us. He sees the storm coming and He sees us on the other side. Sometimes we will need friends and family to lean on, but we will survive and overcome.

            Sometimes things in our lives change, like the seasons. They aren’t tragedies or victories; they are times when things are different. We move or change jobs. We get married and have children. We send the kids to college and have an empty nest. Our parents move in with us. The kids move back home. Life feels like it is in upheaval; it’s changing, it’s different, and we have to learn to trust God in new ways for His new adventure.

            In every season of life God is always with us, never leaving us. He wants to walk with us through the changes, through the ups and downs of life. These are opportunities for us to draw closer to God. He wants us to lean on Him, to depend on Him. His grace, power, and mercy are enough to see us through the dark and difficult times. His love will encompass us.

            Whatever season you find yourself in, I want to encourage you to strengthen your relationship with the Lord. If things are good now, draw closer, because trials and storms are going to eventually come. If you are feeling overwhelmed by life, run to God and hide in His robes. Let Him help guide you through to the other side. God loves you more than you can imagine, and is waiting for your invitation so He can come and rescue you.

Doug Creamer has a new book at Amazon: EncouragingU: Summer Stories. Contact him at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

Day 36

by   September 21, 2021 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Hoping to ride tomorrow!


  I am still safe in the Western Motel at Lucedale, Mississippi. The overwhelming rain and the ever-present tornado threats have kept everyone tense. We had at least three local tornadoes and the fire department responded about 2am. At one time, the local Walmart just 2/10ths of a mile away, disappeared from sight during the heavy rain.


    Still pouring and blowing early, I knew couldn’t ride today. So I have over-planned everything and think I know how to make a big positive move tomorrow. Rain is still in the forecast, even as Ida heads off to drench the Carolinas on Wednesday. I know you guys need some rain and this area doesn’t.


      My goal is to cross into Alabama mid-morning tomorrow. I will pass through Mobile and see some areas from the Underground Railroad adventure. I know nothing about what to expect with road conditions but note that the flooding could get worse. I will probably battle the wind some tomorrow but better weather conditions should resume for the rest of the week.


      Depending on where I make it to, I can estimate tomorrow night how many miles are left to complete this incredible adventure. But one thing that is sure, all those who have and are suffering with this major storm and mostly farther south and west of me, need your prayers!


      I hope to see you back here tomorrow with real progress if at all possible. Knowing you are there pushes me forward. Thanks again!

The Stones

by   September 20, 2021 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

*GET UP AND GO.

Joshua rose early. He and his people were headed to the Promised Land.

*PREPARE YOURSELF.

He told his people to prepare themselves, for the Lord would do wonders among them.

*GOD IS WITH YOU.

They took the Ark of the Covenant with them. It included:

God’s Law – 10 Commandments

God’s Provision – Manna

God’s Authority – Aaron’s rod

*LISTEN.

The people walked. Right at the brink of the Jordan River, Joshua told them to stand still in order to hear the Word of the Lord. They stood still. They listened. They heard.

*STEP INTO THE WATERS.

As soon as the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant took the first step of faith into the flood-like waters, the waters receded. The people passed over on dry ground.

*GIVE GOD PRAISE.

After crossing over, God directed one man from each of the 12 tribes to take a stone out of the deepest part of the Jordan River and build a monument. Then, in times to come, when the children ask their fathers, “What do these stones mean?” they could tell them about the great works God had done.

Can you envision it? One man at a time – tearfully laying down his stone – and then lifting his hands toward heaven to express thankfulness and praise for all that God had done.

Try to grasp some of the passion and emotion we might feel if it were us carrying a stone on our shoulders that may at one time have represented a heavy burden – laying that stone down, and then lifting our arms and voices in praise to God for our victory.

Maybe it would sound something like this:

Your LOVE! Thank You, my God, for loving me even when I didn’t love myself!

Your FAITHFULNESS! Oh, God, You have been there for me in the darkest of nights!

Your HEALING! The doctors said I wouldn’t make it. You, my God, said I would!

Your PROMISES! I’m grieving, but Your promise is that I will see my loved one again!

Your SACRIFICE! You looked ahead in time and died on the cross for me!

Your SALVATION! Oh, God! I am unworthy! Thank You for saving me!

Your MIRACLES! I felt hopeless, but You sent victory!

Your GRACE! Oh, God! Thank You for showing me undeserved favor!

Your PRESENCE! When I was depressed and alone, the Holy Spirit brought comfort!

Your MERCY! Thank You, Lord, that Your mercy follows me!

Your PROVISION! When my family was in need, You provided.

Your FORGIVENESS! I was in sin. You forgave me.

What do our stones mean?

Yes, they will ask us.

Yes, we will tell them.

Because they need to know.

Maybe we can also show them. Here’s how:

*Buy some small stones at a craft store or find some stones in your yard.

*Make a list of some of the great works God has done in your life.

*Use a marker or paint to describe them on the stones.

*Put the stones in a special location in your yard as a monument.

*As the blessings and answers to prayer continue, add more stones.

*Look what the Lord has done.

Our Story

by   September 18, 2021 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Our Story

            We all have a story. We have unique experiences that make us who we are today. Those experiences, combined with our perception of how we see God interacting with our lives, creates our testimony. Our testimony is our “God story.” Do we see God as close and intimate with us, or a more distant God who watches over us?

            You know that I believe that God is close and intimate with us. The Bible teaches us that He created us for fellowship. The Bible also teaches us that God knows the number of hairs on our heads. In my case, he is going to have to count daily, if not hourly, to keep up with that information. If He saw me in my mother’s womb, He must be keeping a much closer watch on us than any of us imagine.

            We all go through difficult times, and how we see God interacting with us during those times helps to create a story, our story. It’s that story of how we got through the trials of life that God wants us to tell others who find themselves stuck in the hurricanes of life. Difficult times can feel like hurricanes, snowstorms, or earthquakes, when everything that we consider solid gets shaken up. It’s in those moments that we often turn to God for help, when we find ourselves dependent upon Him.

            I remember a number of years ago that a friend’s wife got cancer. Instead of announcing it at church, they found a dozen people who believed in God’s power to heal and they surrounded themselves with those people. They saturated her life with prayer and support. While I don’t remember all the details of her treatment, I do remember them announcing to the church that she was cancer free. I also remember that anyone they knew after that who received a cancer diagnosis also received a visit from this couple. They wanted to share their story.

            In the middle of difficult or even tragic times, we need the hope that others who have sailed those seas and survived those storms can bring us. We need to know that we are not alone, that others have felt our pain and hopelessness. We need people with similar experiences to show us the way to the other side. That’s why your story, your experiences, are so vital to the Kingdom of God.

            Recently, I found myself sitting in a doctor’s office hearing the news that I had what looked like a cancerous growth on my arm. I remembered a former pastor telling us about hearing similar news. I called him after I left the doctor’s office. I needed to hear the story again, how he got through it. Thankfully my pathology report came back “no cancer” and my arm is healing up well. But I needed my former pastor’s story and his prayers to see me through.

            Many of you have stories that others need to hear. I know they are painful, but the hope you found could help others who might drown. I can’t tell you how many students I helped whose parents had separated or divorced. Seeing that I made it through helped them take steps and move forward in their lives. I didn’t want to expose that pain in my life, but because I was willing, it helped so many students who needed to hear my story.

            Your story might be about COVID survival. Maybe you or your child has been through the torture of drug addiction. You may have a story of surviving an abusive relationship. There are so many of you who have dealt with sudden medical emergencies like heart attacks that can share some comforting words with others. Maybe your story is about the tragic loss of a loved one and how He helped you pick up the pieces of your life. Whatever your story, there are others in your life who need to hear it so they can find their path to survival.

            I want to encourage you to consider your story and be willing to share it with others who are facing similar circumstances. One of the most powerful stories you can share with someone is how you came to faith in Jesus. Many people are struggling with doubts, fears, shame, and other things that are holding them back from God. Your story might free them and open their hearts to a personal relationship with their loving Heavenly Father. We never really know the power of our words to bring hope in the middle of storms unless we share them. Be willing to share your story.

Doug Creamer has a new book at Amazon: EncouragingU: Summer Stories. Contact him at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com

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