Sister Verse

by   March 5, 2024 with No Comments

By Lynna Clark

I have two sisters who are twins. If I can get this wonky techno crapola from Gehenna to co-operate I’ll include a picture of them. But no promises. They are the best. My sisters that is. Each loves the Lord, diligently studies Scripture, and teaches God’s Word regularly. But best of all, when the rubber meets the road, they take care of the family. Our daddy is eighty-eight and probably the most healthy man you’d ever come into contact with. So strong, he is diligent about his healthy lifestyle. Until recently he was still walking three or more miles per day. He started noticing a change in his breathing. Turns out he needed an aortic heart valve replacement.

Wait… what?


It’s bad enough when someone his age needs a knee job. But heart surgery? The thoughts of it scared the life out of me. Another factor in the situation is that while my daddy is the picture of health for his age, I am not. I knew when plans were being made that I would not be able to help take care of him. I won’t lie. He can be a bit ornery, so I wasn’t terribly devastated. However, I worried about my sisters handling all that; especially since one of them lives in Virginia. Our local sister Janice stepped right up. She took care of all the preliminary doctor visits, all the calls and plans, plus she communicated the information to us. Since her husband had recently had heart surgery, she knew the right questions to ask and even understood the med-speak tossed around as-if we do this kind of thing everyday. She took him to the hospital on the day of surgery and sat with him through recovery. That alone was an all day sucker. Once he was moved into a regular room, she fed him dinner while he remained flat on his back. I can’t imagine what that looked like. Hopefully they didn’t have spaghetti. While Janice handled everything, Tamra our Virginia sister, and me held our breath and prayed. It was all we could do. So far, daddy seems to be fine and is supposed to go home today. Depending on his recovery time, Tamra and Janice plan to take turns helping him. Once again, I’ll be home praying as I really have no strength. As I thought on these things this morning, our sister verse came to mind.

“Three are even better, for a triple braided cord is not easily broken.” -Ecclesiastes 4:12b
For years we’ve held to this as we’ve gone through things with our children, the loss of our mama, and other trials. Each of us has our part. This is the first time that all I could do is pray. Thankfully my sisters get that, and even speak often of the value of my prayers. Rather than resent me, they lift me up. I think that’s the gist of the sister verse: each lifting the other until the cord is strong. Having the Lord woven in makes it even stronger. I hope you have someone you can weave into your life along with the Lord.


For a triple braided cord is not easily broken.

Lion and Shepherd

by   March 4, 2024 with No Comments

By Rhonda Sassano

Jesus, You are more than worthy! You are the Great I Am.  You are the Lion of Judah, and You are the Great Shepherd, even while You are the Lion, because You are our fierce protector and defender.  At the sound of Your Name, darkness trembles! Fear vanishes! Disease dissipates! And I stand strong, every foe vanquished.  Yes.  You are my Great Shepherd.  I want nothing.  I have more than I need. I don’t ask for anything because You already know and have set a plan in motion to take care of me. I choose to rest here in trust and hope, soaking in Your luxurious love for me. Your love brings me to a quiet brook of peace.  This is where you restore my soul and revive my weary heart. I surrender to Your plan.  Help me want for me only what YOU want for me. Help me be still and wait with joy and anticipation to see what You will do on my behalf. You set me on the path to Life, and it is only You who keeps me on that path, because You’ve written your word on my heart and birthed righteousness in my spirit. Now I long to please You, to walk beside You, to hold Your hand. Even when the path grows dark and murky, when blackness settles around me and hides You from my view. Even when discouragement and fear and doubts threaten to overwhelm me, You are still right beside me, leading me through to the other side.  Your authority is my strength and my peace.  The comfort of Your love removes fear. I am never lonely because You are always near. You provide a never-ending, bountiful feast for me, so that I am content with now and don’t worry about the future. You fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and delight in working on me and through me and with me to touch and bless others. As I hear Your Word today, I receive it with joy and thankfulness.  And I ask the Holy Spirit to bring me opportunities and help me recognize opportunities to share with others how Your goodness and mercy overtake me, and how they can join us in eternity with You. 

Keeping Up With Coats

by   March 3, 2024 with No Comments

By Ashlie Miller

Convincing a child to wear a coat in the South is no easy task, especially on a cold but sunny day. Persuading a child to keep up with their coat while at school or co-op is nearly impossible! Hoodies and jackets fill the lost and found box or closet. Many organized mothers with foresight carefully label the inside of their child’s jacket. Those of us who collect hand-me-downs may have a label of a friend (or even a stranger) inside our jackets.

Joseph from the Old Testament in the Bible often could not keep up with his robes and garments. You may remember him as Joseph and the coat of many colors. His many brothers loathed that cloak and hated this favorite son of Jacob. When the opportunity arose, these brothers maliciously sold him into slavery to a caravan of merchants, tore his coat, dipped it in blood, and deceived their father about Joseph’s whereabouts.

Later, while serving in Potiphar’s household, the trusted and again favored servant, Joseph, is set up by the wife of the house, longing to have an affair with him. In the act of escaping her clutches, he leaves his garment in her hands – another opportunity for deception lying in the hands of Joseph’s enemy.

The first garment revealed Joseph’s identity as the favorite son. His later garment revealed his identity as a trusted servant. In both cases, the cloak was taken from him, yet his true identity and integrity remained intact.

Upon salvation, Christians “put on a new self” (Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10); we are transformed from the old to the new (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). Christ clothes us in His righteousness, an identity we willingly embrace at salvation, even if we struggle later to think it is up to us to keep it on through our own merits. Isaiah 64:6-7 tells us that our best efforts towards righteousness (being made right with God) are like filthy rags. It reminds me of the times I let my children choose their clothing for an outing, and they come out with their stained play clothes, thinking they have made a lovely choice. It just will not do.

Thankfully, Isaiah 61:10 shows us the great love of our Messiah, clothing us in “garments of salvation…covered with the robe of righteousness.” Since perfect righteousness is the requirement for salvation (which we are inept at producing and maintaining), we hold fast to the promise of John 10:28-30 that Christ gives us eternal life. No one can pluck Christians out of God’s hand. Better than not losing your coat at school, we have a sealed identity wrapped in something no one can take. Though we may stumble and fall, our repentance reveals that His righteousness remains.

I am so grateful I do not have to keep up with my eternal “coat” myself. Christ has set His name on it and keeps up with it for me! His love is so great that I want to live purely for Him, not to stain my garment intentionally, but even when I fail, He keeps it spotless in His eyes.

Ashlie Miller sorts through coats for five children, sometimes finding jackets belonging to other children. Thankfully her husband, Chad, is type A and does a good job of hanging up his jackets.

Sharing Our Faith

by   March 2, 2024 with No Comments

By Doug Creamer

Sharing Our Faith

            When I was in college our church organized the college students into groups and sent us out on campus to share our faith. I was very nervous about sharing my faith on campus. I met the girl assigned to my group, who was a petite person. My nerves increased. Then I met the final member of my group, a guy that would remind you of the incredible hulk minus the green body paint. My nervousness disappeared instantly. No one would disrespect us with this big guy!

            Sharing our faith isn’t easy. We have to become vulnerable. People can choose to listen and even receive what we share or they can reject what we share and leave us feeling dejected. Rather than risk rejection many of us choose to keep our faith to ourselves.

            If we decide to take the risk, the next problem is discovering how to share our faith. How do you put into words what you believe? How can you share and not create an offense? What do you choose to share? How much is too much or not enough to help the person receive the wonderful gift of salvation? What are the right words to use? Is there a specific way that works every time?

            Sometimes we are left with more questions about how to share our faith and we end up giving up on the opportunity. We feel inadequate to share our faith. We doubt ourselves and believe everyone else can do a better job than we can. Some people think it is best to leave it up to the professionals, those who have the gift of evangelism or pastors. Sadly, it is those who need to hear the gospel who miss out because we allow fear to keep us from sharing.

            One thing we all know that doesn’t work is standing on street corners yelling at those who pass by, calling them snakes, vipers, and sinners beyond the grace of God. No one responds positively to that kind of message. Also, it is not true! No breathing person is beyond the grace of God. We are all sinners in desperate need of God’s love and forgiveness. Sadly, people who spew out this kind of message chase people away from a loving and merciful God.

            The most effective way to reach someone with God’s love is in a one-on-one conversation. It shouldn’t be a forced conversation. It should flow naturally. It’s important that the person knows you care about them. This often means that bringing up Jesus may not occur in the first or even the second conversation. It is important to build a connection with someone before sharing your faith in Jesus.

            I believe the connection comes from your commitment to listening to the other person. We need to understand their situation, their story. I think that developing a friendship will often open the door for you to share your love for Jesus. Compassion and kindness are often keys that can open people’s hearts, not only to you but to the Lord. If we can help them in their situation, they will be more likely to listen to what we have to say.

            Every human being has a deep need to be loved. People will open their hearts to you when they feel loved and cared for by you. Once they have opened their hearts to you, begin to look for the opportunity to share God’s love with them. Tell them your story. Let them know how God has come through for you in the past. When they can see your experience with God’s love, compassion, and forgiveness, it becomes an invitation for them. People are hungry to be loved and accepted, especially by God.

            I want to encourage you to reflect on your personal story and experience with God. Your story can open doors and make a way for someone to find and build a relationship with God. Everyone who has accepted Jesus was drawn to Him by His great love and unimaginable forgiveness. Be ready and willing to share your story, your testimony, with those in your sphere of influence. If you have never accepted Him as your Lord, I encourage you to open your heart to Him. He stands at the door of your heart and knocks, wanting to have a relationship with you. Don’t put this decision off. You can experience God’s complete forgiveness, be freed from guilt and shame, and know for certain that you will go to heaven. But the most important thing is that you can know that you are loved by the God who created you and everything in the universe.  

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

Character and Politics

by   March 1, 2024 with No Comments

By Roger Barbee

Recently I shared with a friend how I disagreed with a well-known economic expert and his views concerning the economy and pandemic. My friend listened to my rant and then told me that he knew the man, had worked with him, and admired him. While my friend valued the expert’s opinions, he admired mostly how the fellow had overcome a chemical dependency after years of struggle. All of a sudden for me, the person who had previously been only a one-dimensional figure who appeared in the news, became a human being. While I still disagreed with his economic views, I appreciated and honored his struggle and his success.

I have been thinking about that conversation and how public figures are too often judged by what we see of them in the media. While we are free, as I did, to reach conclusions about the political or other philosophies of public figures, we should be careful about forming any opinions  concerning their character.

According to my on-line etymology dictionary our word character is explained as “The meaning of Greek kharaktēr meant an “engraved mark” and was extended in Hellenistic times by metaphor to mean “a defining quality, individual feature.”

Certainly the economic adviser had led “a secret life” while suffering addiction. Perhaps like many addicts he was successful as “a functional addict” who led two lives. And when he  began battling his addiction that few folks were aware of, they would never know of his battle against it. His, like all who seek freedom from a chemical dependency, was a lonely battle, but he faced his demons and began to understand them. His character is defined by his success at overcoming his addiction, not by it.

I am not a trained economist, but like many citizens, I have opinions concerning that field and others. Fine. But opinions become dangerous when they lead to character assessment and that was my error concerning the economic adviser. I allowed my opposition to his economic views to become a judgement of the person, not just his philosophy. But when I learned of his struggles with addiction, his humanity became more important than his philosophy.

The American poet Longfellow writes, “Every heart has its secret sorrows which the world knows not, and oftentimes we call a man cold, when he is only sad.” The economic adviser is now freed of his sadness, and I hope to free myself of cold assessments of the character of another.

Treadmill to Outside

by   February 29, 2024 with No Comments

By David Freeze

I often get questions about the treadmill versus running outside, and they seem to peak about this time of year. Here is some good information to make the transition easier.

Prepare for temperature changes. When on a treadmill, you are likely running in a climate-controlled area where the air is in the 68- to 72-degree range. Going outside, even as the weather breaks to just above freezing, the differences can be noticeable, 20-40 degrees cooler. That is significant and will require additional clothing layers when colder than normal. Most runners who only run outside take a few days to get used to big temperature changes. The first warm and humid days in a long while might come with a struggle.

Running is different, treadmill versus road. When you run on a treadmill, your legs can move faster than normal as the tread aids the running stride. The road runner will require more effort to propel himself forward. This is likely the reason why your calves could be sore when you venture outside after a winter inside. Your road or trail running will likely be on uneven running surfaces and experiencing more hills and slopes than inclines on a treadmill. This could strain the calves, hamstrings, thighs and hips more. An occasional crack or hole in the pavement may cause a quick diversion to a better running surface, something you won’t need on a treadmill.

The impact is different too. The impact forces produced on the treadmill are much less than those produced when running on pavement or concrete. Consider transitioning to a rubberized track, turf field, grass or at least mixing these in as you prepare for the road. Your feet and calves might be sorer than normal if you go from the treadmill to concrete too fast. Concrete sidewalks are the hardest surface that most of us will run on. Use asphalt instead of concrete where it’s safe.

Running conditioning is a little different too. Because you are not moving your legs as fast on land, you may not experience higher heart rates than on the treadmill. Mix in a faster pace or sprinting intervals on land, and you may find similar heart rates to those you achieved on the treadmill. Some regular runners train by heart rate and it’s important to note this point.

Some of us run every day. For your first few weeks, consider running on the road every other day. Maybe mix in some nonimpact cardio, cycling or swimming, or go back to the treadmill on the days in between to make the transition from treadmill to road running less abrupt. You might head off a case of shin splints by doing this. Also, make sure that your shoes are good. That means a pair with tread underneath showing few if any worn spots.

The best advice is to start off slowly and progressively build up your pace as you get your lower extremities used to the increased impact forces of the transition. Consider a good warm-up with jogging plus possibly adding some dynamic stretches. If your calves are tight during the run, stop and do a light stretch to assist. Make sure your form is good and you’ll soon be glad to be outside again.

Next race locally is the 11th Annual Will Run for Food 5K and Fun Run on Feb. 24 at Centenary Methodist Church. All proceeds go to Rowan Helping Ministries. The course is moderate with no major hills, and it is all on asphalt. If you’ve spent a lot of time on the treadmill lately, this is a good first race to be back outside again. There will be plenty of walkers and they are encouraged to attend. Look for more information on Will Run for Food and other upcoming events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.

Watch Those Words

by   February 28, 2024 with No Comments

By Ed Traut

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

  • ‘Unwholesome talk’ – words that are just not helpful, positive, or building up.  Help us Lord!
  • May God give us grace to monitor and carefully watch what comes out of our mouths.
  • It is for the building up of others that our words should be focused on.

Prayer:  Lord, I confess to You that often my words are less than desirable, or where they should be.  I ask You to forgive me, but also to teach me, help me, instruct me, and empower me to use my words correctly to build others up and be a life giving source rather than flippant or carnal.  I thank You for that in Jesus name.  Amen.

Ed Traut
Prophetic Life

Have Compassion?

by   February 27, 2024 with No Comments

By Ann Farabee

Compassion. We know what it means.

But even greater than that — we know how it feels.

No matter whether we are the giver of compassion or the recipient of compassion, we understand it.

Compassion is defined as sympathetic concern for the sufferings of others. When we need it and we receive, it sure can make a difference.

Do we look for the opportunity to show compassion, or are we just responders when the opportunity comes our way?

Compassion is for everyone.

Compassion has the word compass in it. On a compass, a needle is used as a pointer. It points toward the direction we need to go.

I believe we need to go in the direction of compass-ion.

Compassion can mean to suffer with — which means we allow our hearts to break for someone else. When we show compassion, we become willing to take on someone else’s burdens.

Wait a minute. We have enough burdens of our own, don’t we?

The answer is yes.

Do we even have time to take on the burdens of someone else?

The answer is yes.

We do it all the time.

It may be the burdens of a family member, friend, coworker, member of our church or a stranger.

Galatians 6:2 says for us to bear the burdens of others.

When we pray for those who are burdened, we are casting their cares on Jesus.

Matthew 11:28 tells us that everyone who labors and is carrying heavy burdens can come to Jesus and he will give us rest. What a beautiful example of compassion Jesus gives us in that promise!

Can we extend compassion to everyone? Yes.

Sadly, sometimes it seems more difficult to extend compassion to those we love the most or to those that have committed the infraction that hurts the most.

So, when in doubt, we can go to the greatest examples of compassion there are:

When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her and said, “Do not weep.”

—Luke 7:13 Jesus called his disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the people.”

— Matthew 15:32 Like a shepherd, He will tend His flock. In His arms, He will gather the lambs.

— Isaiah 40:11 Have compassion?

Accumulate it and gather it. Appreciate compassion and recognize its worth.

Cultivate it and prepare and use it. Generate compassion and cause it to arise.

Communicate it and share it. Oxygenate it and enrich it.

Without a doubt, compassion can be spread by those who have it. When someone is hurting, compassion can help them heal.

No one has ever become poor by giving compassion — we only become richer.

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

Psalm 42

by   February 26, 2024 with No Comments

By Rhonda Sassano

”I long to drink of you, O God, to drink deeply from the streams of pleasure found flowing from your presence. My longings overwhelm me for more of you! My soul thirsts, pants, and longs for You, the living God. I want to come and see Your face, oh God. Day and night my tears keep falling and my heart keeps crying for your help, while my doubts mock me over and over, saying, “Where is this God of yours? Why doesn’t he help you?” Nevertheless, I speak over my heartbroken soul, “Take courage. Remember when you used to be right out front leading the procession of praise to go into the presence of the Lord? You shouted with joy as the sound of passionate celebration filled the air and the joyous multitude of lovers honored the Lord!” So then, my soul, why are you depressed? Why do you sink into despair? Keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior. For no matter what, I will still sing with praise, for You God are my saving grace! Here I am depressed and downcast. Yet I still remember You as I ponder the place where your glory streams down from the mighty mountaintops, lofty and majestic—the mountains of your awesome presence. My deep need calls out to the deep kindness of your love. Your waterfall of weeping sent waves of sorrow over my soul, carrying me away, cascading over me like a thundering cataract. All through the day Yahweh commands his endless love to pour over me. Through the night I hear his songs and sing my praises to the living God. I will say to God, “You are my mountain of strength; how does it seem as though you’ve forgotten me? Why must I suffer this vile oppression of fears and doubts and anxious thoughts— these heartless tormentors who are out to deceive me?” Their wounding words pierce my heart over and over while they say, “Where is this God of yours?” Nevertheless.  I say to my soul, “Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed. For I know my God will break through for me.” Then I’ll have even more reasons to praise him all over again. Yes, he was, and is, and will always be  my saving grace!“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭1‬-‭11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

    I wrote this out during the week preceding one of the toughest nights of my life.  I had it prepped and ready to share as the ending prayer for the worship set on Sunday.  But I couldn’t do it. Even alone in my closet, I couldn’t read it through without melting into tears.  The tears were a mixture of anger, disappointment, sadness, and an extreme loss of joy.  I jotted down a passage from Isaiah 41 as a safety net. 

     It was a great worship service. The Presence was strong, gentle and sweet.  I continued to shield my heart as I agonized through the “safety net” passage, and the emotions continued as I found my seat in the congregation. 

     After service, an elder’s wife asked me if I was okay.  I didn’t answer right away; as the pastor’s wife, I wanted my answer to be truthful… but measured. Too much vulnerability could prove disastrous. I indicated prayers were appreciated and moved on.

     Fast forward the week to Saturday morning. I was really struggling with guilt of the many hours I felt I “should’ve been working” but missed for one reason or another, and every reason was legitimate but now felt frivolous.  I was exhausted with trying to be grateful, ignore the depression, protect my heart and still be somewhat open to input from well-meaning others. 

     In a conversation with a very close friend, Psalm 23 came up, especially the verse “You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies.” As we shared our hearts about deeper meanings, my friend said “this table is about being content; finding satisfaction and even joy with what has already been provided.” Innocent enough, right?  WRONG!  I felt attacked and ashamed!  Condemnation and conviction both pummeled my thoughts and intentions, my very spirit!  Not wanting to lose my tenuous hold on my tears, I shut down and just listened as my friend went on with Paul’s declaration that whatsoever state he was in, he had learned to be content. 

     After we wrapped up our conversation, it seemed a shower would be a safe place to cry and scream.  And it was. So I did.  Finally, I gave up.  I couldn’t come to any conclusion other than the fact that I am not in control, and that I cannot change a single thing about my situation.  (My pastor would prefer me to say I “gave over.”)  I found myself picturing an altar and a naked figure trying desperately to hide, to escape, to find some modicum of safety or comfort or cover.  Realizing none of what was wanted or needed was present or available, the figure grew still.  I whispered, “Jesus, I want nothing.  I ask for nothing.  I am content with now. These words aren’t even true, Lord, but how I want them to be true!”  I was full-on sobbing now, and the wave of deep deep sadness pressed me into the tile. 

     My spirit began to intercede for me. Looking back, it was truly the Holy Spirit who used my own voice to utter my prayer language on my behalf.  I’ve never prayed for myself like that before.  I believe my spirit, by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, was praying for my mind and my soul, for my will to align with His will.  For the courage to stay on the altar.  To stay still on the altar. To let His work, excruciating though it may be, be completed in me.  

     When I could stand without support from the tile wall, I heard someone mumbling “I want nothing.  I ask for nothing.  I am content with now.”  I wrote the acronym on my mirror, and put it in my phone as an alarm every hour.  

     It took three more days for me to get used to the idea of not wanting or asking for anything.  I made a huge effort to inquire of the Lord everything…  before every word spoken, every crumb eaten, every text written, every … everything.  I was determined not to do ANYthing on my own.  It was the only way I could think to stay on the altar.  But it’s the beginning of the fifth day, and I can be transparent about my heart:  I feel better.  Less stressed.  My emotions are more stable, I have a different (better?) perspective on my situation (which isn’t exactly earth-shattering, in any case.) 

     By choosing to let go of everything I thought I needed and everything I knew I wanted… it’s been an enormous relief, actually. If I don’t already have it, then when I need it, the Lord will give it to me.  And if He doesn’t, then it’s for my good and maybe I don’t need it as much as I thought.  

     Could it be so simple, you ask?  Well there was definitely nothing simple about arriving at this conclusion!  It was an arduous, intensely painful journey.  And I’m still struggling to just … be still.  To stay on the altar.  But my heart so wants to please Him!  And if it takes an altar to do that. . . here I am. 

    Jeremiah 32:39-41 says,

(with my paraphrase,) ”I will give Rhonda one heart, and one way, so that for her good, she will fear Me always. I will make an everlasting covenant with Rhonda: I will never turn away from doing good to her, and I will put fear of Me in her heart so she will never again turn away from Me. I take delight in Rhonda, to do what is good for her, and with all My heart and mind I will faithfully plant her in this land.“

     In Exodus 20, the Israelites are standing at the base of the mountain, physically trembling in awestruck fear of the God who was tangibly present in the swirling clouds, thunder and lightning.  Moses tells them that the Lord wants to speak to them, but they were too afraid and backed away from the mountain, from the Holy Presence.  And from that moment forward, they were stuck in a cycle of rebellion and repentance.  If they had only stood still and heard His voice!  They would have been instilled with a sense of holy awe, divine respect, and deep desire to please Him.  Instead, they were simply unable to trust Him with anything, much less their hearts. 

     How about me?  Oh, I’ve heard His voice!  My heart wants to please Him more than I want to stay alive!  My flesh, not always so much…

     How about you?  You can hear Him and find relief, too.  Open the Word.  Open your heart.  His love is perpetual, never diminished, never doing anything other than what is for my best.  (And yours!)

     If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, discouragement, anger, or any other emotions, please connect with me.  I am a certified mental health coach and have been successful using creative expression to facilitate better mental health. It would be my privilege to encourage you!  Here’s my contact info

sunnyshade13@gmail.com

With joy,

Rhonda

‭‭

“God is not looking for those who can but those who will.”

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