Steve Hartman tells the story of a SUPER fan for one local high school. Being a loyal fan can mean more to the players then you might imagine. Listen to this great story….
A Super Fan
October 15, 2024
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Change!
October 14, 2024
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I gave the sermon at our church last week. I taught about change. You can listen to our worship and enjoy the whole service or you can jump ahead to about 1 hour and 5 minutes…that’s when I begin my sermon. I hope you will listen and I hope it encourages you! Have a great day!
Songs from the Storm
October 13, 2024
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By Ashlie Miller
By now, you have heard of many creative ways to support Hurricane Helene victims in our state. Many artists have joined together to hold concerts or create an album to raise money for them. The devastation has inspired musicians and singers to write songs based on their sorrow and care for a place they call “home.” No doubt those who have or had a home in that tragically hit area have written the most touching songs.
I think the song that has touched me most is from a video shared on social media of an anonymous man in the Asheville area dressed in a dingy t-shirt, sweatpants, and a pair of slides covering his feet. After a relief worker brings the residents immediate aid, one recipient regrets that he cannot offer something to express his gratitude. Then he remembers what he does have – a gift of song. Grabbing his fiddle, he breaks into melody – perhaps a mixture of lament and overwhelming gratitude.
Thanks to autotuning and big collaborations with well-known writers, almost anyone can write or play a good song. The music from the heart, often a hurt heart, is most meaningful. This is not a new thing. One can open 1-2 Samuel in the Bible and read selected chapters in the Psalms to see the stories that prompted the greatest songwriter (King David) to write some of the most celebrated and sung songs. As I read the Psalms, I often skip past the chapter’s introduction (or song) to get straight to the poetry, but there is so much life in the simple notations (if your Bible has them). I am amazed at how many psalms David wrote while escaping the hand of Saul or other enemies, trapped in a cave, or even struggling with his own sinfulness.
David often uses his personal stories of God’s goodness in tragedy to set a pattern of praise that others can follow to write songs of gratitude and praise. It reminds me of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 where Paul says that because of God’s great love and comfort for us as believers in our afflictions, we are able to comfort others in any affliction – even messy, catastrophic ones.
We are already witnessing this in so much of our Appalachia family – stories (and songs) of grace and courage, sadness and woe, and hope and rebuilding. Many of them are still waiting to hear the music.
Do you have a song birthed from a storm in your life? It may be time to share it with someone currently in a storm or just coming out of one (literally or figuratively). Help them to find their song through your encouragement, even if you survived a very different storm.
Ashlie Miller and her family reside in Concord, NC but have many friends and family in western NC. Our prayers and support are for them now and down the road.
Be Prepared!
October 12, 2024
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By Doug Creamer
It is unbelievable that our country has been hit by two major hurricanes in less than two weeks. The paths of destruction are unimaginable. The pictures and videos are hard to watch and comprehend. There are so many lives that have been impacted by both of these storms. I have been checking up on friends and family who have been impacted. I want to help and have done some things but it all feels so inadequate.
I have been teaching Sunday school lessons the last couple of weeks on being prepared. I have been reflecting on my Boy Scout years…which were many years ago. The Boy Scout Motto is to Be Prepared! A Boy Scout is always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do his duty. A Boy Scout puts aside his own comfort and concerns for self to be of service to others.
There are countless stories of people who are doing just that to help the victims of these hurricanes. There are many people who are working tirelessly to help others who have suffered a terrible loss. They are driving supplies into the affected areas. They are helping people clean up downed trees. They are helping people repair their homes and businesses. Some people have created small bridges that will allow ATVs across rivers to bring supplies to people.
Mountain folks are so resilient. Many who are struggling are out there helping others who are in need. I was trying to imagine what it must be like to not be able to do simple things like take a shower or brush your teeth. Most of us have experienced power outages for short periods of time; imagine what they are facing in these hurricane ravaged areas. I know that there have been organizations going into the affected areas and making meals for people. People are helping and donating things for complete strangers. Some people have spent their weekend working hard to ease the suffering of others.
Disasters have this way of bringing out our best. We are Americans! We come together to help each other in times of need. No one asks what you think about controversial issues. It doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican. When people are suffering Americans rise to the challenge; we help each other.
I have heard of stories of high school coaches getting their teams together to go and help people who have been affected by the storms. Teachers are always looking for ways to teach their students important life lessons. These young people will grow up knowing how important it is to give back to others.
I also heard stories of churches in unaffected areas sending supplies and manpower to the churches in the affected areas. Churches are coordinating and being THE CHURCH in order to help those who are suffering. Churches can help others physically, practically, and spiritually to meet the needs of others.
I showed my Sunday school class images of people sitting on their roofs waiting to be rescued. I asked them to consider those people to be like those who are lost and do not have a savior. They are waiting for someone to come along and give them a helping hand. Christians have the answers they need and can help guide them to spiritual safety. Jesus is the answer! We are called to be beacons of hope to those entangled in sin. We are called to release those who are trapped in the prison of addiction. We have the faith, hope, and love they need to be set free and live purpose filled lives for God.
I want to encourage you to be prepared to share your faith, hope, and love with those who are disconnected from God. Tell them about your best friend Jesus. We all know that time is running out and people need a relationship with the living God. God loves and cares about them and is calling them up and out of the darkness. Trust God and allow Him to lead you and give you the words. Your obedience could have a profound impact on others. Also, please remember that those who are suffering from these hurricanes are not going to recover in a week or even a month. They are going to need your help and prayer for a long time. Seek ways you can make a difference for both your local neighbors and those distant neighbors who are struggling to recover from the hurricanes.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
Mother Words
October 11, 2024
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By Roger Barbee
Alex and I met when he was a 6th grader in the all-boys’ college preparatory school in Alexandria, VA where I taught and coached. Our meeting happened during the late 1970’s, and if you were a student there, in that time, a few avenues existed in which to show excellence- academics, athletics, or both. The school required participation in athletics each season, and in the winter I coached wrestling, Since Alex was too small and too short for basketball, he “chose” wrestling.
Even in the 6th grade Alex showed his mettle. He was one of those athletes that every coach loves to have on the team because he had a desire to be the best possible wrestler he could be, and his drive made him a role model, but not a role model who was a great wrestler or even one who was on the varsity squad; Alex modeled dedication in working to achieve the most that he could. While he did win some varsity matches when a teammate was injured or could not otherwise compete in a match, his career was one on the junior varsity squad. He was too good for that role, but not good enough for the varsity. But he was always present, and his presence demanded attention because if a teammate or opponent relaxed, Alex would attack with and either score points or win. Although he never won a varsity tournament, he won or placed high in every junior varsity tournament he entered. Too good for the one, not quite good enough for the other, but as coaches say, “a force to be reckoned with.”
Alex, now a past fifty-year-old attorney living in suburban VA, and I still communicate, and when I recently learned that his mother had died, I called him. He shared with me his mother’s final bout with kidney and heart issues and how his siblings and he were able to share precious time with her during her final days. While it is true that she was 83 when she died, her siblings had lived well into their 90’s, so her fatal illness was one for which she and her children were not fully prepared. But as she did in her life, she managed all things well and she shared time with her children. One time, when she and Alex were sharing precious minutes, she told him how pleased she was with his achievements in college, his life well lived, and the other successes he had had. He told me how she talked about his career as an attorney and “all your wrestling medals.” With that, Alex struggled before saying, “Coach, all I ever won was a few J.V. medals, but she told me how proud she was of them.” Then our talk paused until he could softly say, “I never knew that she was even aware of them that much.”
Our conversation continued as we talked about how he and his older brother were coping. We discussed the advantages of his returning to his work and office, but that the process of grieving was also important. Sharing his grief, I offered him encouragement that seemed banal in the shadow of his pain. Out of words, all I could offer at the end of our conversation was that he could call me anytime he felt the need to talk.
But I keep remember something Alex’s mother had said to him during one of their last talks. Facing her death, Alex’s mother looked back across the years for some comfort to give her now-grown baby child. She found what she needed: Words of praise for his accomplishments, even those as a junior varsity wrestler.
Cliffs and Plenty of Water
October 10, 2024
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By David Freeze
Cliffs and Plenty of Water at Coastal State Parks
The Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is near Seven Springs and covers 1,097 acres. The park, named for the Neusiok Indians, opened in 1945 and is known for the high banks along the Neuse River. The river is 250 miles long. I visited early on the morning of September 11th and found the visitor center locked at 8am, the listed opening time. I found a maintenance man who opened the door just long enough for me to get my passport stamp. Maps were on a rack outside.
I took the 350-Yard Trail and the Bird Trail to get great views of the Neuse River and the 90-foot cliffs high above it. Near the highest point, a fence blocks visitors from falling over the edge but soon the paths from the trails are open to unprotected banks. The highest point of the cliffs extends for about 600 yards and layers of sand, clay, seashells, shale and gravel form a multi-colored cliff face. The cliffs were formed when a fault in the earth’s crust shifted millions of years ago, and the river followed the fault line. A bend against the bank allowed the erosion that slowly carved the banks. The park has seven hiking trails, all rated easy or moderate.
The beautiful 11-acre swim lake has a sandy beach, diving platform and a large bathhouse. Canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and paddleboards are available for rent. Private boats aren’t allowed on the lake as swimming is very popular with a concession stand and a large parking lot.
Fishing is popular on the Neuse banks with bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish. Shad migrate upriver in the spring. The park has 30 campsites but only 12 have water, electrical and sewer for RV’s. The park has three camper cabins, all with water and heating and air.
On September 16, I drove to Carolina Beach as the tropical cyclone came ashore that morning. I checked the forecasts, and all signs pointed toward a better afternoon after heavy morning rains and winds. I don’t think anybody realized that up to 20 inches of rain would fall. Severe flooding was everywhere and gained national attention.
I drove to Carolina Beach State Park and found most of the park closed, even though many campers in tents had survived the rain onslaught and were still there. A ranger supplied the passport stamp, but she made no promises whether the park would be open on Tuesday. I then drove toward Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and found the roads blocked due to flooding. I retraced my route and tried to figure my way around the flooding. I gave up and got an overpriced room on the high side of the worst flooding.
On Tuesday, I drove to Fort Fisher and found the roads open but with plenty of damage from the flooding. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, opened in 1986 and near Kure Beach, didn’t miss out on damage, but much of it was still undetermined as I beat the first park rangers and staff to the parking lot. Once they opened the nice visitor center, I got my stamp while talking to the ranger in charge. I had already walked out to the huge beach area and saw sand piled high on the boardwalk. Blown sand and water were everywhere and the park’s only trail was flooded. The Basin Trail will be something I do when returning later, as it ends near one of Fort Fisher’s batteries and includes a WWll bunker.
Fishing and swimming in the ocean are popular. The beach is pristine and has nothing commercial for seven miles. Loggerhead turtles nest along the shoreline. There is no camping on site. The NC Ferry, the NC Aquarium and the Fort Fisher Historic Site are adjacent to the recreation area.
I then drove back to Carolina Beach State Park and found the visitor center open but most of the park remained closed. I wanted to see the marina and the Cape Fear River at the back of the park. The small park has just 761 acres and was established in 1969. The park is unusual in that it has five different carnivorous plants, including sundews, bladderworts, butterworts, pitcher plants and Venus fly traps. All are displayed at the back of the visitor’s center. The park is also popular for animal life with some of the most notable being alligators, brown pelicans, ospreys and several varieties of fox. Birding is very popular.
The 54-slip marina was a high point for me. I was determined to see it and talked another ranger into letting me walk there on a partially flooded road. I told her I needed the photos for a newspaper article. About to have to walk through knee-high water in my bare feet, I heard a horn behind me and caught a ride with a wildlife officer named Bill checking on his boat. We saw three white-tailed deer for a great photo.
No swimming is allowed in the park due to dangerous currents. A beautiful picnicking spot is beside the marina. There are nine hiking trails ranging from a quarter mile to 3 miles and all are rated easy. Camping is big here, with 70 tent/trailer sites with no hookups and nine RV sites with full hookups. The park also has four very nice camper cabins and two group camping areas, good for 26 and 40 people.
The fun continues with 40 parks visited and two remaining.
Best Future Ever!
October 9, 2024
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By Ed Traut
Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
- When we commit and abandon our hearts to Him we can expect these things;
- Goodness and love to be a natural way of life without having to be pursued, just happen naturally.
- ‘Dwelling in Gods house’ is to always be with the Lord and continuously putting Him first and being a part of His kingdom, always in heart, mind and deed.
Prayer: My Father I bless Your holy name today in praise and adoration and declare to You that I am Yours and totally devoted to You. Thank You for Your kindness and mercy. You are my shepherd and I do expect these things (goodness and mercy) to follow me. Amen.
Ed Traut
Prophetic Life
What is Faith?
October 8, 2024
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Dr. David Jeremiah tells us what faith is and explains how important faith is at this point and time. Many believe that we are in the last days and we need faith to make it to the end. I want to finish this race of faith well. We must turn to our faith. Listen as Dr. Jeremiah explains…
Hope Will Always Win!
October 7, 2024
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If you have heard of all the destruction in western North Carolina, then let me share a story of hope! It reveals the kindness of people in the midst of tragedy. People can be very amazing especially after horrific events. Steve Hartman found one of those stories and I encourage you to watch it. It will lift your spirit.
What is Love?
October 7, 2024
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How do you define love? Is it a feeling? How do you know when you have it? Steve Hartman shares a beautiful story about love. Get the tissues…watch it and enjoy!