Seeds of Hope

by   August 8, 2020 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

            When the weather is so hot I have very little desire to work outside. I will cut the grass. I will also spend time watering, but other than that, I stay inside during this hot weather. But there comes a point in late July or early August that I have to bite the bullet and do some work in the vegetable garden.

            Last weekend I decided that if I wanted to have a fall garden, I would have to get out there and work. It was the possibility that we might get some good rain from the tropical system that pushed me out the door. I needed to get the work done before the rain.

            I started by digging my potatoes. I wasn’t expecting much of a harvest due to the heavy rains back in May. Many of the plants drowned, but I did get a small harvest. I cleared that area of weeds and got the soil ready to plant. Then I pulled all the corn stalks.  

            Some of my squash plants had bitten the dust, so I pulled them out. There was a healthy supply of weeds that I pulled, too. I think I filled the wheelbarrow four times with weeds and debris. The garden was clear and ready to begin again.

            I thought for a while about what I wanted to plant. I put out five new tomato plants, as that May rain hurt my tomato crop, too. I planted a small area of corn and some mammoth sunflowers. I put out two kinds of beans. I had some potatoes that had sprouted, and thought why not see if I can get a fall crop? I have one more area to clean out and then I hope to plant some peas and broccoli. We will probably try to plant some lettuce and spinach too, once the weather cools.

            The good news is my plan worked. I beat the rain and got it done. There are always more things to do in the garden and I hope to get back out there soon. There are about 90 days left in the growing season and I want to see what I can do while there is still time.

            As I stood out there looking at the garden before this major transformation, I wondered if our lives look like that mess to Jesus. I wondered if He sees us as weed-infested and full of dead vegetables. What do we say to Him? I mean, there is always stuff in our lives that we need His help fixing. We can’t do it alone. Do you think that Jesus is angry, disappointed, and sad at the state our lives?

            The revelation I got this weekend is that He is not, much to my surprise. I was excited about the opportunity to get out and clean up my garden. Jesus is excited when He sees our heart ready to work with Him. Those ugly old weeds don’t bother Him. He is just so glad to spend some time with us. In fact, He is humming and singing while He works.

            You see, He is glad to get those life-sucking weeds out of our lives. He sees the potential for Kingdom fruit in our lives. If you are ready to work with Him, He is anxious to get started.

            While I was planting the seed, I stopped a couple of times and just looked at the seeds in my hands. There was something about those dry seeds that stirred hope in me. I guess it was what those seeds represent, the possibility of a harvest. I am hoping they will produce a crop for me before the first frost.

            That’s why Jesus gets excited to work in our lives. He sees our potential. He plants those seeds of hope in us, knowing that He will get a harvest from us. Jesus knows that the seeds have to sprout and grow in us. He will tend the garden because He is intent on tasting the fruit.

            I want to encourage you to open your heart before God and ask Him where He wants to work in your life. Don’t try to fix something on your own. It is a futile attempt to fix something in your life without God’s help. We tend to focus on sin, and He is much more interested in heart attitude, conviction, endurance, perseverance, faith, hope, and love. One thing I have learned recently is that if we will work with Jesus where He wants to work, He will take care of the rest. God loves you and only wants the best for you AND a spiritual harvest for the Kingdom.

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

Heat and Humidity

by   August 3, 2020 with No Comments

By David Freeze

Running is a daily struggle right now with the oppressive south Florida-style humidity. On a recent morning, I planned to do 5-6 miles but tempered those plans early. I leave in the dark, about 5:15 a.m., and noticed right away a low-hanging ground fog on the farm. Another day with no bounce in my legs was quickly apparent. I finished four miles in a full fog, at 75 degrees and 95% humidity, according to the National Weather Service. A mile cool-down walk was the perfect finish.

What happens to your body in warm and extremely humid conditions? In those conditions, if you are intent on getting in a quality workout outside, lessen your expectations. Opt for a shaded path or early morning darkness. Make sure to hydrate properly and let go of any time-based goal. Run by feel instead of pace. With high humidity, heart rate can increase by 10 to 20 beats per minute, which will make your perceived effort much greater.

When you run, your core body temperature naturally rises, and your sweat glands produce droplets that carry excess heat to the surface of the skin, where it evaporates. But humidity prevents sweat from evaporating, so the heat stays put. On a hot, humid day with no breeze, you lose a key way to get rid of your building body heat, which can make running dangerous if you continue to push the normal pace. 

If your body heats up and gets more and more dehydrated, it goes into survival mode, maintaining blood flow to your essential organs (to keep you alive) and to your skin (to regulate temperature). Less blood will flow to your GI tract and you may feel nauseous as a result. You may also find your breathing becomes shallow and uneven. And your heart rate will escalate as your ticker and lungs work overtime trying to deliver oxygen throughout your body.

 If you continue to push, your brain temperature will rise, which makes matters worse. Your ability to assess your own body temperature will become difficult and you can also start to lose control over body mechanics. I find pretty quickly that my form is not as efficient as usual and my foot strike becomes sloppy and forced. Dizziness or disorientation can come next.

The good thing is that we are 2/3rd of the way through our humid summer and this long string of sticky days is due for a break. We’re fortunate to have all four seasons here and this humid stretch will just make us appreciate the better conditions coming soon.

Bottom line, keep running but don’t expect as much. A day with a run is better than any other day!

In other news, many of you may have read that bikes, running shoes and other items used for personal fitness are in short supply. Good running shoes are essential and won’t wait once they are used up. Locally, Ralph Baker Jr. of Ralph Baker Shoes said, “We’ve been fortunate that while supply has been affected, we’ve not been deeply impacted. Most of our imported shoes come from Asian countries other than China so supply hasn’t been so much of an issue, but logistics is another topic. Many of the U.S. distribution centers are working on limited hours and just can’t get the product shipped out as quickly or efficiently as usual. The good news is that we buy nine months in advance and we have plenty of inventory in stock!”

New bikes and other exercise equipment remain in short supply. The one positive from the virus outbreak is that many of our neighbors continue to expand their exercise. Even with the summertime conditions, I love seeing so many locals out pushing forward with their own health considerations.

Normally, it would be time for a report on Robin and Isaac, the duo who have previously participated in the Post’s 2020 wellness challenge. Both are no longer in the program. A report will follow next week.

At press time, Salisbury’s 23rd Annual Run for the Greenway 5K is still on tap for Saturday, Aug. 15, at Knox Middle School. Race director Steve Clark said, “We are on go unless Gov. Cooper changes something.” Several successful nearby road races have followed new safety guidelines in recent weeks.
Keep updated at salisburyrowanrunners.org . Our next beginning runners class is set to begin on Sept. 10.

Back When I Was in School

by   August 2, 2020 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

Back when I was in school….

I know. That is a phrase no one wants to hear.

But, I will say it anyway. Back when I was in school, a well-known form of discipline was writing sentences whenever you broke a rule. Often the sentence was this: “I will follow the rules.” If the student had been exceptionally bad, it was something like, “I will follow the rules in my fifth-grade classroom.” It usually had to be written 100 times, while everyone else was enjoying recess.

Disclaimer — I personally never had to write sentences as punishment, but I did observe many of my classmates suffering through the experience, as if they expected their hand to fall off at any given moment.

Why is it that people do not want to follow rules? Rules get a bad rap, for some reason.

Rules are regulations or principles that govern conduct. Conduct more simply put means the way in which a person behaves.

Rarely does someone request more rules, for they feel rules will keep them from enjoying whatever the rule is ruling. But, the truth is without rules, the opposite occurs.

What does Psalm 19:7-10 tell us about rules?

They are sweeter than honey.
They are more desired than gold.
They change the soul.
They make the simple wise.
They make the heart rejoice.
They are clean.
They endure forever.
They are true and righteous.
The rules of the Lord are perfect.

We need rules. They protect us, put order in our lives, and can even bring us joy.

Psalm 19:11 says we will have a great reward if we follow rules.

Not just a reward, but a great reward!

Remember to be a ruler of rule-following.

Let’s review. Repeat after me 100 times:

I will follow the rules.
I will follow the rules.
I will follow the rules.

Keep going — 97 more.

Repeat whenever you need a review.

Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker. Contact her at  annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

Keep Watch

by   August 1, 2020 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Keep Watch

            If you think I am hiding from COVID-19, you are wrong. Yes, I am staying indoors, but it is not the virus that is doing it. I am hiding out from summer’s heat. The TV weathermen could actually take a vacation at this time of year in the Carolinas. All they need to do it record themselves saying, “Today’s weather will be hot, with highs in the 90’s with some scattered thunderstorms.” That forecast will work from now until September.

            The high heat and humidity have a bad effect on me. I tend to stay inside in the air-conditioning. I go out in the late evening to water and try to keep our plants and garden alive. Some evenings I can be out there for over an hour watering things and feeding the hungry mosquitos. It is hard to maintain a healthy garden and pretty plants.

            I find it so amazing that the plants and vegetables you want to grow struggle so hard, but the weeds seem to grow beautifully. I don’t think I have ever seen a weed wilt in the summer heat. I need to get out in the garden and clear out both the weeds and the plants that are done and put in some things in hopes of a fall harvest.

            We have been enjoying some tasty treats from our garden as well as some from local farmers. The peaches and strawberries have been good this year. It seems that there is not enough room in the refrigerator to store all the summer treats. A watermelon can take up an entire shelf. This is when I miss the old refrigerator in the garage.

            I have been unhappy about two things this year. My blueberry bushes looked full early this spring. I was excited about the potential harvest. I did my duty and covered the bushes with mesh to keep the birds away. As I watched, I noticed that the bushes kept losing the berries.

            We have quite a large population of squirrels this year. I have looked out and seen a half dozen around the birdfeeders. Where is a hawk when you need one? Those squirrels were crawling under my mesh and eating my blueberries.

            My mouth has been watering as I watched the corn tassel and the silks start to show a little color. Then I went out to water the corn the other day and I saw one of the ears had been eaten. The others looked fine. The next day about a half dozen ears were mutilated. I blamed some raccoons because we put up fences to keep the deer out. I saw the corn doing an odd little dance this morning. When I went out to inspect, two squirrels went running for the woods. My corn was done. They had eaten all of it.

            Farming, I am convinced, has to be the hardest occupation. You have to fight the weather, bugs and pestilence, rodents, and deer. It reminds me of the battle we face every day to maintain our Christian walk.

            We have an enemy that wants to destroy us because we have decided to follow Christ. He infests our lives with doubt, fear, and shame. He knows all of our hot buttons and presses them often. He knows which sins easily entangle us. He sows discouragement in our hearts. He works hard to keep us distracted from following Jesus. He makes us feel unworthy of God’s love. He will do anything to keep us unfruitful for the Kingdom.

            We have to guard the seeds of God’s word in our hearts. We need to water those seeds with God’s promises and prayer. We have to stir up faith in our lives. We have to pull those weeds of doubts and fear from our lives. When we feel distracted or tempted to sin, we need to ask for help. God knows we can’t win those battles alone. We need to live our lives in such a way that we bring glory and honor to God, which is our spiritual fruit.

            I want to encourage you roll up your sleeves and prepare to get sweaty and dirty. We all have spiritual gardens to maintain. We need to encourage each other and challenge each other to a deeper walk with God. Those deep roots will help us during dry spiritual times. Ask God to make His word alive as we read it. Pray for your friends and loves ones, your prayers are making an impact. Never give up, because the fruit you are producing will have eternal rewards. We need each other if we intend to see the harvest that God intends.

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

Running!

by   July 27, 2020 with No Comments

By David Freeze

The Last Annual Heart of the South (HOTS) is a 340-mile unsupported journey run in which participants had 10 days to finish. Participants parked cars at the finish and were transported to the start that began early on the morning of June 18.

The course started in West Memphis, Arkansas, crossed the Mississippi river traveling through downtown Memphis to Lee Highway (U.S. 64), east across rural Tennessee, through Selmer, to Corinth, Mississippi, into Alabama along the Natchez Trace (a 37-mile desert with no services) into Florence, Alabama, then onto Huntsville, Alabama, and finally finishing at Castle Rock, Georgia, atop the Sand Mountain. Participants had to travel a minimum of 34 miles a day with Elvis in his blue-suede shoes chasing them, eliminating those who didn’t make the daily minimum distance.

Chris Blumenthal, a longtime Food Lion fresh demand manager, said, “I entered the race because I wanted to challenge myself amid the mystic of a multi-day journey run, beyond anything I had ever done. I trained for almost 10 months while figuring out gear and preparing for the endurance challenge. Ultraraces in 2020 included 50Ks, a 12-hour run, 40-milers, and the YETI 50-mile challenge. COVID-19 canceled my April and May events. I created my own training with one day trekking from Salisbury to High Point (40 miles) and another 50 miler around Rowan County.”

Participants checked in twice daily as race officials monitored progress and followed social distancing and mask requirements. Some stores along the way closed early causing limited food availability. Dropouts were transported back to the start in the meat wagon.

Blumenthal, 52, said, “We were responsible for everything. Eating, resting, finding water or any other need. This race strips you down to your lowest primal instincts. I found myself either emotionally devastated or laughing hysterically at nonsense. For 10 days, my goal was survival and making it another day. Nothing else mattered more. Battling torrential downpours, mountains, traffic and heat were part of the roller coaster highs and lows.”

The best part of the race was developing relationships with fellow combatants. Blumenthal stayed with a group of six veterans making 50 miles on the first day. Days 2 and 3 brought less when his ankle doubled in size and battled thoughts about dropping out several times. He had to stay ahead of Elvis to avoid being pulled from the course.

Things improved when Blumenthal met another rookie, Tiffany Kravec, an Army captain from Ft. Wayne, Indiana, with vast ultra-running experience. She helped address Blumenthal’s ankle pain and became his battle buddy for the next 250 miles.

Long segments with little or no services, fully booked motels and plenty of rain hampered progress. The duo travelled 56 miles to find a fully booked motel and continued another 20 miles to reach the next one.

The lowest point emotionally came on day 5, with an episode of gout in a toe. Blumenthal said, “After hobbling six miles, my spirits lifted as I came to a doctor’s office. They gave me two shots, told me to stay hydrated and sent me on my way. Leaving that doctor’s office, I knew that no matter what, I was finishing the race.”

Participant Kim McCoy was hit by a car and eventually had her leg amputated. Blumenthal added, “Kim is a tremendously positive person and is rehabbing in NYC. She has a Gofundme page. She’ll have a long recovery but plans on coming back to finish the course, I am sure with plenty of support.”

Small things were celebrated such as leaving busy highways, crossing state lines, finding open convenience stores, and being able to shower, sleep and wash clothes in a hotel. Blumenthal said, “We rested in post office buildings for the A/C and power, filled water from church spigots, saw baby skunks, a bald eagle and more armadillo road kill than we could count. We endured highways with little to no shoulder and drivers that refused to move over. Road angels provided us with ice cold towels, water and food when needed most.”

As the duo started the final 50-mile push up Sand Mountain to the Rock, the motto became “Don’t stop…Won’t Stop.” Blumenthal remembered, “Tired and half-asleep, we made it to the Rock at 1 a.m. on June 28, finishing in a time of 9 days 18 hours. Thoroughly exhausted, I kissed the Rock, sat on the finishers throne next to the campfire and told stories of our adventure.”

Of the 65 people that started, 48 finished. The winner, Bev Abbs, finished in 4 days, 23 hours. Thirty-three people finished in the last two days, and 18 finished on the last day, demonstrating just how hard this course was.

Blumenthal concluded, “Looking back on the race, I had three goals: to finish, smile and have fun. I accomplished all three.”

After resting his ankle for a couple more weeks, Blumenthal hopes to begin running again and wants to race again in September. Unfortunately, COVID-19 may affect fall races with postponement or cancellation. Just like racers everywhere, I will just wait and see what’s next.”

Look for the latest on upcoming events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

The Race

by   July 26, 2020 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

For one who loves to watch sports as much as I do, it would stand to reason that at some point I had some athleticism. Not.

I was not a fan of my required PE classes, and my best athletic skill was getting in the back of the line, hoping the class period would end before it was my turn. But — those classes have brought about the writing of three columns — rope climbing, swimming, and now — running.

My college PE teacher kept reminding us with a smile, “You have to run … a mile. And, it has to be done within the time limit.”

She seemed quite happy about it. I had no interest. I had no skill.


The day arrived. It was called a run, but we all knew it was a race. I refused to come in last place. As I ran, all I could see was the backs of my classmates. All I could feel and hear was me, struggling to keep up and catch my breath.

But I kept running. I finished my race.

There was even a handful of students who finished behind me.

If only I had embraced it — and allowed there to be joy while in the midst of the race.

If only I had run patiently, instead of frantically comparing myself to those around me.

If only I had not carried the weight of the expectation of failure along with me.

If only I had kept looking ahead and kept my eyes focused on the goal.

If only I had not been fearful of failure, and trusted the race set before me.

If only I had accepted instruction, and prepared for my race.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Wherefore, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily besets us. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”

My race. Your race. We run it daily.

We are encompassed by a great cloud of witnesses. They surround us and encircle us, helping us know we are not alone. They are witnesses on earth and also are cheering us on from the bleachers of heaven.

We lay aside every weight and sin that so easily besets us. Besets means assailed or harassed on all sides, hemmed in, or troubled persistently. Running our race while trying to drag our hindrances and sins alongside us is foolish. We must lay it aside. We have been carrying it long enough.

We must run with patience. Philippians 3:14 tells us to press toward the mark. We must keep going while looking forward — one step at a time.

We must run the race that is set before us. It is our personal race — the race God has for each of us. No one can run our race for us. It is our race to run.

We must keep looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Author can be defined as creator, and finisher can mean one who reaches the end of the race. The finisher of our faith — Jesus — finishes the race with us.

Lord, help us to always look to you — the author and finisher of our faith. Thank you for the assurance that as we run our earthly race, You are running alongside us, and when it gets too hard, You carry us. Thank you, Lord, that in order to win this race, we do not even have to be athletic. Thank you for the promise that one day, we will arrive in the winners circle — our eternal home. Amen.

Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker. Contact her at  annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

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